Provincewide Shutdown/Stay At Home Order

As of 12:01 am on April 8th, a Stay-At-Home Orders takes effect for all of Ontario, including Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes, along with the existing province-wide shutdown that began on April 3, 2021. This means new stricter public health restrictions and measures will be in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. These measures are in place for at least the six weeks.

The provincial shutdown means Ontario’s colour-coded COVID-19 Response Framework is on pause for the time-being. Prior to the shutdown, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit region had been in the Yellow-Protect category.

News and Updates from the Government of Ontario

• Read the Province of Ontario's issued press release here related to the updated Shutdown.
• Read the Province of Ontario's issued press release here related to the Stay-At-Home Order.
• Read the Province of Ontario's issued press release here related to the provincial "emergency brake" shutdown.

What Changes with the Move into the ‘Stay-At-Home' Order?

In addition, the province is also strengthening public health and workplace safety measures for non-essential retail under the provincewide emergency brake. Measures include, but are not limited to:

• Limiting the majority of non-essential retailers to only operate for curbside pick-up and delivery, via appointment, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., with delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm, and other restrictions;
• Restricting access to shopping malls to limited specified purposes, including access for curbside pick-up and delivery, via appointment, with one single designated location inside the shopping mall, and any number of designated locations outside the shopping mall, along with other restrictions;
• Restricting discount and big box stores in-person retail sales to grocery items, pet care supplies, household cleaning supplies, pharmaceutical items, health care items, and personal care items only, at 25% capacity;
• Permitting the following stores to operate for in-person retail by appointment only and subject to a 25 per cent capacity limit and restricting allowable hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. with the delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.:
  • Safety supply stores;
  • Businesses that primarily sell, rent or repair assistive devices, aids or supplies, mobility devices, aids or supplies or medical devices, aids or supplies;
  • Rental and leasing services including automobile, commercial and light industrial machinery and equipment rental;
  • Optical stores that sell prescription eyewear to the public;
  • Businesses that sell motor vehicles, boats and other watercraft;
  • Vehicle and equipment repair and essential maintenance and vehicle and equipment rental services; and
  • Retail stores operated by a telecommunications provider or service, which may only permit members of the public to enter the premises to purchase a cellphone or for repairs or technical support.
• Permitting outdoor garden centres and plant nurseries, and indoor greenhouses that engage in sales to the public, to operate with a 25 per cent capacity limit and a restriction on hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

As of Saturday, April 17th at 12:01 a.m., the following measures will take effect:

• Closure of non-essential construction.
• Closure of outdoor recreational amenities, including playground, basketball courts and golf courses.

As of Monday, April 19th at 12:01 a.m., the following measure will take effect:

• Reduced capacity for funerals, weddings and religious services to 10 people indoors.

Looking for more information on COVID-19 cases?

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has a helpful tool on their website where you can find out information related to cases within our region. The Government of Ontario also has a report on their website where you can find out more information on cases across the province, including demographics and timelines. 

Other Important Information regarding the Provincial Framework

• View Municipal Program and Service Updates
• View the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open
• View Town of Cobourg Updates regarding COVID-19
• View additional COVID-19 resources and contact information

To learn more about the public health levels within the Framework and potential program and service changes for the Town of Cobourg please visit the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open.