COVID-19 Stay Informed - Subscribe to This Page and Get an Email for Every Update
On March 26, 2020 the Municipality of West Perth declared a State of Emergency as part of our ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This step formally activated our Emergency Operations Centre and allows us to access additional supports from the provincial and federal governments should they be required for our community.
Effective February 16, 2021, the Municipality of West Perth will move to the Orange (Restrict) level of the Province’s Keeping Ontario Safe & Open Framework. Read the full Media Release that lists the changes and updated public health measures for Municipal services and programs that take effect on February 22, 2021.
The Municipality of West Perth is working closely with Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) to monitor COVID-19. This is being done in collaboration with provincial and national health agencies.
For up-to-date information about COVID-19
Visit the Huron Perth Public Health website for information and resources on COVID-19 or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
Learn about how the Ontario Ministry of Health is responding to COVID-19 in Ontario.
The Municipality will notify the public of future openings, updates and cancellations through:
Current as of February 18, 2021 @ 3:15 p.m.
For more information on each service, please click on the title.
| Latest Updates |
- February 16, 2021 - Huron Perth Public Health region will transition from the province-wide shutdown into the strengthened COVID-19 response framework on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 12:01 am, at which time the stay-at-home order will also end. Huron-Perth will be in the Orange-Restrict level of the framework. Read the full Media Release that lists the changes and updated public health measures for Municipal services and programs that take effect on February 22, 2021.
- January 19, 2021 - Status update from West Perth Building Department as it relates to the current Provincial 'Stay at Home' Orders and Declaration of Emergency as issued on January 14 2021.
- January 13, 2021 - The Province of Ontario has declared a second state of emergency, and issued a stay-at-home order (effective Jan. 14) in response to rising COVID-19 cases. West Perth has closed all municipal facilities to the public for the duration of the provincewide shutdown. Please see the updated Guidance and Direction summary from the Province. Read the full Media Release to learn the measures that have been taken by the Municipality in response to the Provincial stay-at-home order announcement.
- December 22, 2020 - In response to the province-wide shutdown, some West Perth services and facilities will be closed or have limited access. Please see the full list below.
- December 21, 2020 - The Province of Ontario announced a province-wide shutdown starting December 26, 2020 for a period of 28 days. Please see the Guidance and Direction from the Province Summary, including a list of limitations by business sector. Businesses looking for information on their operations can contact the Province's Stop the Spread business line at 1-888-444-3659. Read the full Media Release to learn the measures that have been taken by the Municipality in response to the Provincial lockdown announcement.
- December 13, 2020 - The Province of Ontario has released initial information on the distribution, availability, and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
- November 29, 2020 - Huron Perth Medical Offer of Health issued a Class Order Section 22 to ensure people who have been told to self-isolate by public health or a health care provider are doing so.
- November 25, 2020 - The Province of Ontario has released their recommendations for safely celebrating the holidays this year, saying "the safest way to spend the holidays this year is by only celebrating in-person with the people you live with and virtually with everyone else. If you live alone, consider exclusively celebrating with one additional household."
- November 12, 2020 - Huron Perth Public Health released updated Public Health Instructions to Persons Responsible for a Business or Organization permitted to be open under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) and related Regulations, or otherwise.
Huron Perth Public Health New Gathering Limits Information
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| Municipal Services Update |
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| Municipal Office |
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Municipal Office remains closed for drop-ins. Pre-arranged appointments and drop-box services are still be available. Please call 519-348-8429 to schedule an appointment. Anyone entering any Municipal facility must complete a COVID-19 screening form before entering.
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| Building Permits |
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Building Services is open by-appointment.
Please use the online building permit system and/or contact the department by email as our office is closed to walk-in visitors at this time.
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| Taxes, Utilities, Other Payment |
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Taxes and other Municipal payments can be paid by mail, through the drop box at the Municipal Office, or by online and telephone banking. View our Payment Options for various ways to pay your bill. Please contact the Treasury Department if you have concerns about how to make your payments during this time.
Please contact the staff below for any questions:
- General Inquiries - email Ashley Neveu or call 519-348-8429 ext. 229
- Accounts receivable - email Lori O'Connell or call 519-348-8429 ext. 227
- Property taxes - email Lori O'Connell or call 519-348-8429 ext. 227
- Water/sewer - email Ashley Neveu or call 519-348-8429 ext. 229
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| Library |
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The West Perth Library will be open for in-person services with limited capacity beginning Tuesday, February 16. Public computer use is permitted by appointment. Please call 519-348-9234 to book an appointment. Computer users will be required to fill out a COVID-19 screening form and are limited to 1 session of up to 45 minutes per person per day. Inside WiFi spots are available for the same 1 session of up to 45 minutes per person per day. The Library will continue to offer curbside pick-up, and the book chute remains open for returns. A 72 hour quarantine remains in place for returned materials. The Library will remain fine-free while still under COVID-19 restrictions. Visit www.westperth.library.on.ca for more information.
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| Recreation |
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Please contact our Recreation Coordinator for details about arenas and community rooms.
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| Waste & Recycling |
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Update from Bluewater Recycling Association: Waste and recycling will continue to be collected on your usual collection day.
Bluewater Recycling Association is asking for your help to keep their employees safe at this time. Please follow their guidelines for safe waste disposal during the global COVID-19 pandemic:
- Place used tissues and napkins in the garbage. Wash your hands afterwards.
- Bag all waste. Do not place waste loosely in garbage containers.
- Masks and gloves should be put in a bag and then into your waste bin. They should not be put in the recycling.
- If you’re sick: place ANY item that has come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage – even items that you normally place into your recycling bin (eg. water/beverage bottles, pop cans, etc.).
Landfill
The Mitchell Landfill will remain open to the public and garbage/recycling collection will continue. Please visit our website for landfill hours and garbage/recycling collection information. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic residents are reminded to wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing when attending the Landfill.
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| Roads & Snow Clearing |
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Snow removal and road maintenance will continue as normal during the shut-down.
Please remember that there is no parking overnight (2 a.m. to 7 a.m.) on municipal roads at this time. At the end of each day, please bring in any hockey nets or other items you may have at the roadway.
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| Water/Wastewater |
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Water and wastewater treatment will continue as normal during the provincewide shut-down.
Precautions have been put in place to ensure staff are protected and able to perform their operational duties. Emergency response will be provided 24 hours a day. Operations have been divided amongst staff to ensure physical distancing.
Water and wastewater staff will not be entering homes or businesses and will be refraining from interaction with the public whenever possible.
If you have a water or wastewater question or concern, please email water@westperth.com or call 519-348-8429 ext. 236.
For after-hours emergencies related to water or wastewater, please call 519-301-1607.
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| Fire Services |
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Fire Services will continue as normal during the province-wide shut-down. We are taking precautionary measures to ensure that volunteer firefighters can attend emergencies.
OUTDOOR FIRES
As always, you MUST follow the Open Air Burning rules. Please see the Burn Permit page for the by-law and online burn permit required for all open air burning within the Municipality.
To reduce the risk to our fire fighters, there will be zero tolerance for those not following the rules.
Email Fire Chief Bill Hunter or call 519-595-2800 ext. 226
Email Fire Prevention Officer James Marshall or call 519-595-2800 ext. 227
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| Clerk Services (Licencing) |
| The services of the municipal clerk, including marriage licencing, commissioning of oaths and lottery licencing, are currently suspended. Please contact the Municipal Office for details. |
| Council & Committee Meetings |
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Council meetings are proceeding as scheduled and will be done electronically and live streamed to YouTube. To view the meeting schedule, meeting agendas, and minutes, please visit West Perth's Civic Web. Public meetings are also being held electronically.
Committee and Board meetings have resumed electronically as scheduled and will be live streamed on YouTube. To view the meeting schedule, meeting agendas, and minutes visit West Perth's Civic Web
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| By-law Enforcement: Available Online/Phone |
| West Perth is responding to all urgent by-law inquiries and complaints via phone and email. Call 519-348-8429 ext. 232 to speak to a Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer.
Report by-law enforcement issues using West Perth's Report It - Infraction Form.
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Social Services Updates
The following Services are provided by community and government agencies. We will do our best to keep the information up-to-date, but recommend you contact any agencies for their availability. View the West Perth COVID-19 Information Bulletin for more information on available resources available throughout West Perth.
Business Resources
| Huron Perth Public Health |
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Huron Perth Public Health's COVID-19 Information for Workplaces, Employers, and Employees including instructions and toolkits for employers.
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| Agriculture Support |
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| County of Perth Business Resources |
| View the Resources for Businesses page for a listing of business resources that Perth County Economic Development and Tourism Division has compiled. This listing will be updated as new resources are announced or more information is provided. If you have any questions, please email ecdev@perthcounty.ca |
| Mental Wellness for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs |
- Counselling and one-on-one support provided by Family-Services, Perth-Huron (All Clinicians are fully licensed and accredited to provide professional counselling services in Ontario under the Psychotherapy Act of Ontario)
- Existing clients of the Centre for Business & Perth CFDC will be provided with the information directly via email/newsletter.
- Any Owners/Entrepreneurs who are not yet clients can reach out to:
- The direct extension will be provided by Family Services Perth-Huron to the entrepreneur – no personal details need to be provided to the Business Advisory staff in order to access the program.
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| Province of Ontario Support for Businesses |
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The Province has created an Ontario Support for Businesses page to provide information and advice to help businesses navigate the economy during COVID-19.
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