COVID-19

Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 23:

• 10 person indoor seated capacity limit

•  Limit of 4 people may be seated together

• Required to be seated; 2 metres minimum between tables 

• establishments must be closed to the public between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., with exceptions

• Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

• prohibit the consumption of alcohol between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. by anyone, including employees

• Face coverings except when eating or drinking only

• Eye protection for workers where patrons without face covering are within 2 metres

• No buffet style service

• all strip clubs must close unless operating as a restaurant or bar

• businesses and organizations must comply with any advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening for COVID-19

• Dancing, signing and the live performances of brass or wind instruments are prohibited

• Screening of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health

•  Require name and contact information for all patrons in full-service, indoor or outdoor dining areas and records maintained for at least one month

• Masks or face-coverings are mandatory in all commercial establishments, including retail and convenience stores, malls, enclosed farmers' markets and business office open to the public;

• People who remain exempt from wearing masks or face coverings are: individuals with health, respiratory and sensory issues; various disabilities; are unable to remove the mask without assistance; children under the age of two; or other valid reasons.

Playgrounds and Play Structures

• Outdoor playgrounds and play structures are permitted to reopen. The Township opened its playgrounds on Saturday, July 25th.

• Physical distancing of at least two metres must be maintained (except between individuals from the same household or social circle)

Not-for-Profit Support

The Township of Brock has set up a $30,000 Brock COVID-19 Community Grant for Not-For-Profits. This fund will grant eligible not-for-profits, who have seen a 30 per cent reduction in revenue (i.e. fundraising), up to $2,500.  Council approved this program at its meeting held on Monday, August 10, 2020.

The money for the Brock COVID-19 Community Grant for Not-For-Profits will come from savings in the 2020 operating budget. The funds will be given out as grants to qualifying local not-for-profits with amounts up to $2,500. Any not-for-profit that received funding from the BERB, is not eligible for the Brock COVID-19 Community Grant for Not-For-Profits.

Eligibility

The following criteria must be met to be eligible for the Township of Brock COVID-19 Community Grant for Not-For-Profits:

1. Not-for-profit or volunteer based organizations within the Township of Brock or the Region of Durham delivering programs, events or services to the residents of Brock.  Regionally based organizations must provide details demonstrating how their service will directly benefit the residents of Brock; and

2. Experienced a 30% loss of revenue (fundraising, registration fees, etc.) due to COVID-19.

Grants may be provided to eligible applicants as defined above, for:

• General operating and capital expenses;

• COVID-19 Related expenses;

• Activities/events generally occurring within Township boundaries; or

• For programs, activities and events addressing a community need or contributing to the positive image of the Township.

The Grant is not intended to provide funding:

• To organizations with a political mandate, such as citizen ratepayers associations;

• To individuals;

• To organizations that provide services or programs that are the responsibility of another level of government; and

• For debt repayment.

The intake for the program closed on September 9, 2020 Applications are being reviewed.

 Read the official news post.

Durham Region entered Stage 3 of the provincial reopening plan on Friday, July 24, 2020. Stage 3 allows an increasing number of businesses and public spaces to open across the province, including gyms, bars, movie theaters, and indoor dining establishments, provided they adhere to public health recommendations.

Brock residents and businesses are encouraged to check out the Community Reopening Toolkit. It includes resources for a variety of industries and guidance documents. Some highlights:

New Gathering Limits:

• Indoor gathering limits increase to a maximum of 50 people - effective September 19th, this number has changed to 10 people

• Outdoor gathering limits increase to a maximum of 100 people - effective September 19th, this number has changed to 25 people

• Individuals who are not from the same household or social circle are still required to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres

Stage 2

Effective 12:01 a.m. July 10, 2020, instructions to all commercial establishments currently operating during Stage 2 within Durham Region

Stage 2 permits patios to open in Durham Region

Effective June 19, 2020, the Township of Brock moved into Stage 2 of the provincial government’s re-opening plan. As part of this stage, restaurants may open patios—with the option to expand patios on a sidewalk and/or curb/parking lane—in addition to providing take out and/or delivery service.

As per the requirements of Ontario Regulation 263/20, restaurants interested in adding a temporary patio or expanding an existing patio must receive approval from their local municipality. In addition, restaurants wishing to serve alcohol on a temporary patio must receive municipal consent as per Regulation 719 under the Liquor Licence Act (LLA).

Restaurants interested in expanding or creating a patio in the Township of Brock are asked to submit a written request with their business name, address and location, along with a site plan/layout of the proposed patio to brock@townshipofbrock.ca. Your request will be reviewed by Township staff and an inspection conducted to ensure it meets all statutes (building, fire, liquor, etc.). In addition, if your request involves a Regional roadway, a road occupancy permit from the Region of Durham may be required. The Region of Durham is committed to working with area municipalities to support and expedite Road Occupancy Permit applications.

Restaurants are not permitted to use the extended patio until they receive approval from the Township of Brock. This is to ensure the health and safety of all. The Township is committed to addressing all requests for temporary patios in a timely manner and working with businesses to ensure all appropriate requirements are in place.

Restaurants who have existing patios and are not requesting a temporary extension do not require approval from the Township of Brock.

All restaurants are reminded to abide by and instruct all guests to abide by, all governmental regulations pertaining to health and safety, particularly with respect to physical distancing and frequent cleaning and disinfecting of the patio during use.

For additional restaurant and food safety guidelines:

• Government of Ontario Restaurant and Food Services Health and Safety during COVID-19
• Durham Region Health Department’s Community Re-opening Toolkit
• Local sources for Personal Protective Equipment

• Guidelines for restaurant patios

For additional information on temporary patios in the Township of Brock, please contact Ms. Becky Jamieson, Municipal Clerk at clerks@townshipofbrock.ca or 705-432-2355 ext. 240.

Township of Brock Facility Closures including a List of Amenities that are Open or Closed

 Township of Brock facilities currently closed indefinitely:

• Foster Hewitt Memorial Community Centre Beaverton
• Rick MacLeish Memorial Community Centre Cannington
• Sunderland Brock Memorial Arena
• The following community facilities:
  • Wilfrid Hall
  • Sunderland Town Hall
  • Manilla Hall
  • Beaverton Town Hall (with the exception of the Service Ontario office)

Please note: All bookings in Township facilities have been cancelled. The Township will not be accepting bookings for any of our facilities until further notice. 

Use only permitted when maintaining physical distance of at least two metres (or six feet) between yourself and any person living outside of your household or social bubble. Many of the Township amenities are not sanitized and are “Use At Your Own Risk.”

*Non-team play is permitted only and group play is limited to people in your same household or social bubble.

**Open for Brock residents and property owners only. Maximum number of individuals in the Splashpad is 15.

***Open for Brock residents and property owners only.

 Council and Committee Meetings

• All public meetings and open houses have been suspended.

• Council meetings will continue, however, they will be held electronically. The public questions & clarification and delegations sections of the agenda have been suspended until further notice. Public can live stream the meetings.

• All Township appointed boards and advisory committees are suspended.

Recreation Programming

• The Township's fitness programs have been cancelled until further notice.

• The Summer Day Camp program has been cancelled.

COVID-19 Durham Region Updates

On March 17, 2020, the Province of Ontario declared a Provincial emergency through the authority granted under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) as a result of COVID-19. Since this time several emergency orders have been issued by the Province under the Act to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that essential services continue to be provided and Ontarians are supported.

In order to assist DRPS with the enforcement of EMCPA, municipal by-law enforcement officers will be enforcing some EMCPA orders Monday-Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. only. Outside of these hours, DRPS will be handling enforcement. Township of Brock by-law enforcement officers will be enforcing the following EMCPA orders:

• Gathering of more than 10 people;
• Non-compliant business; and
• Use of closed outdoor facilities (playgrounds, beaches, etc.).

In order to submit a COVID-19 Non-Compliant Complaint fill out the Non-Compliant Form.

The Township of Brock will only investigate complaints received Monday through Sunday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any complaints outside of these hours are to be made directly to DRPS as noted below.

Submit a complaint now. 

DRPS COVID-19 Non-Compliant Reporting Process

Citizens can report a gathering of more than 10 people or a non-compliant business on www.drps.ca under Online Services - Community Concerns. As a secondary option, citizens can call the DRPS non-emergency line at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5802 and leave a message. The DRPS will endeavor to respond to these calls in a timely manner, however, our focus continues to be on emergency calls for service.

Call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659 for clarification whether a situation falls under the non-compliance orders. Assistance is available Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information visit: ontario.ca/stopthespread.

For the most up-to-date public information about COVID-19 in Durham Region, refer to www.durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus. Citizens can contact Durham Public Health via email at health@durham.ca, or by phone at 1-800-841-2729 or 905-668-2020.

Reports regarding price gouging must go directly to the Province of Ontario. File a complaint at 1-800-889-9768 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, or file a report online.

• MCI offers medical assistance where patients can connect with physicians from the comfort of their homes through telephone consults and/or virtual care, as well as traditional walk in services in many of their clinics. This is free of charge with a valid OHIP card, and no administration fee.  

Community Gardens are permitted to open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gardens operating in Durham Region are required to follow the recommendations specified by the Durham Region Health Department

Resources specific to Control-Red ClassificationFAQ for Control-Red Classification
Special instructions issued by the Durham Region Medical Officer of Health November 23:

• Updated instructions for all enclosed (indoor) public spaces and common areas of apartment buildings and condominiums regarding the use of non-medical masks and face coverings:

  • Class order
    
  • Learn how it impacts you
    

• Section 22 order related to all workplaces in Durham Region:

  • Class order
    

  • Learn how it impacts you

• Updated instructions for all enclosed (indoor) public spaces regarding the use of non-medical masks and face coverings

• A Framework for Reopening our Province - Stage 3

• Durham Region Checklist for Reopening Businesses and Workplaces

• Community Reopening Toolkit

• Develop your COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan

• Sector Specific Guidance and Tip Sheets

• COVID-19 Mandatory Mask Instructions for Commercial Establishments - Checklist for Establishment Owners and Operators 

• Is your business or retail store reopening? Display the Durham Region Health Department poster to protect yourself and others. 

• Resources and information for businesses in Durham Region regarding government programs, services and supports available during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is updated at least daily.

• As businesses prepare to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a need for personal protective equipment (PPE), as required by provincial guidelines. The Durham Economic Task Force has created an online resource of local PPE options.

• Durham Region Health Department

• Government of Canada

• Lakeridge Health

• Province of Ontario

• Public Health Ontario

• Public Health Agency of Canada

Social distancing is maintaining a distance between you and other people — at least two meters (six feet). Durham Region Health Department is recommending that all residents practice social distancing to help stop any transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community. Limit the number of people you come into close contact with.

How can you do your part? 

• Avoid gatherings such as parties or other group events

• Avoid visits to Long-Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes, Supportive Housing, Hospices and other shared care settings unless absolutely essential. This is the best way to protect those at high risk.

• Avoid any non-essential trips in the community – e.g. consider take out or delivery options rather than restaurant meals

• Shop for essential grocery or pharmacy items when stores might be less busy

• Work from home

Important

This information does not apply to people who have been advised to Self Isolate. If you have been advised to self-isolate, you must stay home and follow the public health directions provided.