City of Windsor Coronavirus Update March 13 2020
In an effort to address the concerns of the community with regards to the potential impact of the Coronavirus on the City of Windsor operations and facilities, the following communication has been prepared.
The City’s response is based on the current advice of the local health authority, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. It should be stressed that the situation is being continuously monitored and could change at any time based on recommendations from the Health Unit.
All City of Windsor facilities currently remain open except for the following:
- All City of Windsor EarlyON Centres will be closed effective Saturday, March 14 through Sunday, April 5, 2020, which aligns with the school board closures. We will continue to monitor the situation through the Ministry of Education and our school board partners
Given the significant attendance expected during March Break at Adventure Bay, and to limit the number of attendees at any one time, special measures have been put in place:
- Hours will be adjusted to create two separate sessions per day with a maximum participant limit of 250 per session.
- The first will take place from 10am to 2:30pm.
- The second session will be from 3:30pm to 8pm.
- Enhanced cleaning will be in place during this time. Depending on staff availability, some attractions within the park may be closed on a rotational basis.
- As with any activity, it is up to parents to use their discretion on whether to attend or not.
Given the vulnerable population at Huron Lodge, special measures are being taken effective 2pm today. Huron Lodge is actively working with all health care providers such as the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Community Control Group, physicians, pharmacy and beyond.
In order to maintain the health and safety of our residents, a comprehensive set of measures have been already implemented.
These measures will be further enhanced starting today as of 2pm:
- Access to Huron Lodge is limited to the main entrance. Signage is placed at all entry points.
- Huron Lodge is actively screening all staff, visitors and residents entering the home. This means everyone is asked of any respiratory signs, symptoms and travel history.
- Effective today Friday, March 13 at 2pm, restrictions will be in place to permit only staff and essential personnel access to the home.
- Visitation for residents will be limited to allow one visitor per resident in the home at any given time.
- Palliative care residents’ visitation will be expanded to allow for two visitors.
- Visitor restrictions will be reviewed on an individual case for compassionate grounds.
As the situation evolves, further measures will be implemented and communicated to our residents and families.
In the interest of caution and to help reduce the potential spread of infections and illness, the City is taking the following precautionary measures at all City facilities:
Increased frequency of cleaning frequent or high-touch surfaces. Surfaces that are considered to be “high-touch” include:
- Bathroom surfaces (taps, toilet handle)
- Door knobs, door handles, push bars, light switches
- Hand rails in stairs and hallways
- Elevator buttons
- Tables and counter tops
- Cleaning high-touch surfaces using a disinfectant.
- Our staff will be washing their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Additional sanitization stands for visitors and staff will be made available subject to the availability of supplies.
The health and safety of our residents, staff and visitors is of the highest priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation and consult with the Health Unit. Preventative measures will be maintained as required.
Please note: Residents may experience screening at City of Windsor facilities.
Community Preparedness – What Every Resident Can Do
For more information on the Coronavirus, its potential impact on the community and tips on how best to protect yourself in your daily activities, please visit the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s special web page: Novel Coronavirus (2019).Along with the preventative information provided by the Health Unit, the City of Windsor would also like to advise residents, if you are sick, please stay home.
