North Frontenac declares state of emergency
With “evidence of community spread” in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) region, the Township of North Frontenac has declared a state of emergency.
“The Township of North Frontenac has determined that the COVID-19 emergency places our community at risk,” the Township said in a press release on Thursday, Mar. 26, 2020.
In an attempt to help contain the spread of the virus, Mayor Ron Higgin has declared a state of emergency, effective immediately and until further notice.
“This Declaration of Emergency provides the head of Council the authority to take actions or make Orders, which are not contrary to law, in order to protect the inhabitants in the area of the emergency. Mayor Higgins stresses that this is not a panic situation, but it is a serious situation that can become worse without containment,” the press release reads. “These are anxious times for us all, but cooperating and working together to contain this virus is everyone’s responsibility. Together we can beat this!”
The Township said the declaration has been made because it allows for actions to ensure ongoing safety, not only for its residents, but also to try to protect the health of local health practitioners who have been exposed the virus in recent days. As a result of the declaration, Mayor Higgins is no longer requesting that people stay on their own properties, but rather “strongly urging that everyone stay on their property whether you think you have been exposed or not.”
“If you are not infected or have not been exposed this mandate does allow for essential travel only to replenish food, health items, garbage disposal and other necessities. Do not invite guests over and do not accept invitations to socialize during these very serious times,” the Township said. “If you do have to leave for any reason, please practice diligent social physical distancing and practice sanitization and frequent hand washing. Failure to cooperate and work together may require more stringent measures to be put into effect.”
All municipal offices, township buildings and playgrounds in North Frontenac are closed to the public, but essential services will continue to be provided. Half of the North Frontenac Township Staff are working from home, and the other half are working in the office as mitigation efforts in the event a township employee is exposed to COVID-19.
For more information from the Township of North Frontenac on COVID-19, including resources and directions on self-isolation and social distancing, click here.