NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY
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MIDHURST – Following the provincial stay-at-home order, the County is reminding residents that critical services will continue during this second province-wide Emergency Declaration. Throughout the pandemic, the County has supported thousands of businesses and residents, and will continue to deliver programs in alignment with Public Health guidelines during this extended lockdown.
More than 1,700 of the County’s 1,850 employees work in healthcare and essential front-line service roles or directly support these critical services. Throughout the pandemic, the County has utilized every resource it has to continue to maintain essential services, support our communities and care for vulnerable residents.
The following service, facility and program updates remain in effect:
CLOSED to the Public:
County Administration Centre (Midhurst)
- The Administration Centre will be closed to the public (excluding the Midhurst Ontario Works office which has a separate entrance and remains open). Staff will continue to serve residents, clients and partners virtually by appointment only
- The Service Simcoe Contact Centre will be moving to virtual service only at [email protected] or 705-735-6901
- The Cravings @ Work Cafeteria will be closed to staff and the public during the lockdown
Simcoe County Museum
- The facility will be closed to the public
- Virtual school programs will be coming online at the beginning of February (watch Museum.Simcoe.ca for details and start date)
- Due to timing of the lockdown and necessary safety precautions, the Museum Skate Trail will remain closed for the duration of the 2021 season
Simcoe County Archives
- Building access remains closed to the public during the pandemic
- Staff will continue to provide remote/virtual services to the public and clients. Click here for information
CONTINUED Essential/Critical Services:
Operating details are subject to change and will be updated on the county’s website
Landfills and Curbside Waste Collection
- Landfills will remain open on their modified COVID-19 schedule
- For safety precautions all landfills will move to cashless transactions (debit and credit only with tap preferred)
- Curbside waste collection services will continue
LINX Transit
- LINX Transit will continue to operate all routes with safety precautions in place
- There is no immediate change to route schedules; however, staff will monitor passenger volume and adjust schedules as needed
Ontario Works Offices
- All Ontario Works offices remain open including the office at the Administration Centre in Midhurst, with limited operational functions being supported by designated staffing cohorts
- Clients are encouraged to utilize virtual assistance options to further reduce foot traffic
Emergency Child Care Support
- As requested by the Ministry of Education, the County of Simcoe is collaborating with local licensed child care operators to develop Emergency Child Care Programs for eligible parents of school-aged children. Click here to learn more
- The county will also be supporting licensed home child care providers who wish to offer additional hours to support the child care needs of Emergency Workers during the outbreak
General Services
- The county will also maintain safe operations in Long-Term Care and Seniors Services facilities, Paramedic Services, Economic Development and Tourism, Library Co-operative, Planning, Simcoe County Forests, Transportation and Engineering, roads and plowing services, Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, Social Housing, Local Immigration Services, Children and Community Services, Customer Service, Legislative and Government Services (including virtual Council meetings) and administrative/support departments. Staff will be working remotely where possible and public/client assistance will be by appointment for relevant services.
The county declared an emergency on March 18, 2020. Our regional state of emergency continued throughout 2020 and is ongoing at this time.
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