For Immediate Release - Saturday March 14, 2020

The County of Wellington has implemented proactive measures to limit further transmission of COVID-19. 

Currently, all County buildings and facilities remain open (some with restrictions), and services are running. This could change quickly as the situation evolves and more information becomes available.

CURRENT RESTRICTIONS AND CANCELLATIONS:

Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home

The Wellington Terrace has received direction from the Ministry of Health regarding visiting restrictions. At this time, all visitors and volunteers are not permitted in the Home. If a resident becomes very ill or requires end-of-life care, the home will make arrangements for visiting.

This is an extreme measure; however, these are unprecedented times. Wellington Terrace residents remain well and this measure is precautionary in order to ensure that our residents and staff remain healthy. The Wellington Terrace recognizes the importance of social connection for seniors. Please be assured that our team will contact families to determine strategies for you to stay in touch with your loved one.

Wellington County Child Care and Learning Centres

At this time, all Wellington County Child Care and Learning Centres remain open. Staff have increased their monitoring and cleaning of the facilities to keep everyone safe. On direction from the Ministry of Health, the following restrictions have been put in place:

Any children under 16 years of age who are returning from travel outside of Canada are required to self-isolate and self-monitor for a period of 14 days upon their return. This includes:

The child must NOT return to child care centres.

The child must self-isolate at home, avoiding close contact with others and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms (fever and/or cough, difficulty breathing).

If symptoms develop, individuals should contact Public Health at 1.800.265.7293 x 7006 or Telehealth Ontario at 1.866.797.0000.

Further decisions will be made as additional information is received from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.

Wellington County Library

All Wellington County Library programmes have been cancelled. Libraries will remain open and staff will be screening patrons using the same Ministry of Health protocol as the Wellington County Child Care and Learning Centres.

Wellington County Museum and Archives

March Break programming at the Wellington County Museum has been cancelled. The Wellington County Museum and Archives remains open and staff will be screening patrons using the same Ministry of Health protocol as the Wellington County Child Care and Learning Centres.

Entering other County Buildings or Facilities

If you have travelled on a cruise ship or outside Canada in the last 14 days, have two or more symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have had close contact with either a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, please do not enter any County building or facility.

Protocol for County of Wellington Staff

Using the Guidance of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, all County of Wellington Staff and Council Members who have travelled outside of Canada are asked to self-isolate and self-monitor for 14 days before returning to work. Staff who are showing two or more symptoms of the COVID-19 virus have also been asked to self-isolate and self-monitor for at least 48 hours, longer if their symptoms do not subside. All staff self-monitoring or self-isolating are asked to contact their Health Care Provider or Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health for further medical advice.

“The County of Wellington continues to maintain public services as best we can,” said Warden Kelly Linton. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will be making any appropriate changes on the advice of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.”

For the most updated information, please visit: www.wellington.ca or check our social media platforms. For additional information on COVID-19, please visit www.wdgpublichealth.ca.

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