Re-engaging is the theme of this COVID-19 article. Events in Burlington and around us are beginning again, families are gathering, and back-to-school shoppers are preparing for the upcoming school year. Our https://local-news.ca/business/restaurants listing has been updated recently to remove restaurants that have closed and include new restaurants now in operation in Burlington.
The Field and Stream Rescue Team has a planting event planned for Sherwood Forest Park on September 18. The Hike for Carpenter Hospice event is planned for September 25. Just two of many events you can join in on this fall. The Toronto Blue Jays are back at Rogers Centre with standard or physically-distanced seating options. Beginning September 13, each fan aged 12 and older must present government-issued identification and receipt of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to attend a game.
Halton Region’s website notes that the community clinic at Compass Point Bible Church will close as of September 1. Up to and including August 29, there have been 752,987 doses of COVID-19 vaccine given in Halton, to Halton residents. This includes first and second doses given. Third doses/boosters are not available at Halton’s community vaccination clinics. Mobile teams will be offering third doses to residents of high-risk congregate settings once details are confirmed by the Ministry of Health. Burlington currently has 49 active COVID-19 cases. Joseph Brant Hospital’s website indicates that they are currently caring for six confirmed cases. The vaccine clinic at Joseph Brant Hospital has now been closed.
Back to school plans
Curtis Ennis begins his first school year as director of education with the Halton District School Board (HDSB). The HDSB website references the Ministry of Education guidelines for opening schools. Each parent of an elementary student is required to complete an online daily school screening tool for each child before leaving for school. If the child exhibits symptoms and/or does not pass the screening test, they may not return until they receive a negative test result or an alternative diagnosis AND symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours OR it has been 10 days since the symptom occurred and they are feeling better. Each school will have a designated isolation room and students will wait there for pick-up.
The Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) website includes a webinar from Dr. Meghani, the commissioner and medical officer of health for Halton Region. HCDSB is offering an option for students in Grades 9–12 to learn fully remotely. This fall, students will be enrolled in either full-time in-person instruction or remote learning. No action is required to enrol for in-person instruction, but a registration form is required for remote learning. We wish all students returning to school this fall a successful re-entry!
McMaster University announced mandatory vaccination for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors attending a McMaster campus or facility. All must be fully vaccinated by October 18. From September 7 to October 18, those that do not provide proof of vaccination will be required to provide proof of a negative test twice per week. Self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms must also be done; the Ontario online COVID-19 screening tool or the McMaster Safety app can be used for screening. This information applies to Burlington’s campus of the DeGroote School of Business.
Health care and Joseph Brant Hospital
The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario called for the provincial government to mandate vaccination for all health-care workers. They launched a #FullyVaccinated social media campaign to encourage everyone to receive both doses of the vaccine. Up to two essential care partners (ECP) are permitted to access in-patient units at Joseph Brant Hospital, except that visitors are not permitted for patients who are pregnant/in labour/postpartum, and adolescent visitors are not permitted (15 years of age and under). For ambulatory care, diagnostic imaging or emergency care, only one ECP is permitted in special circumstances (such as patients with cognitive, mobility or language difficulties).
The City of Burlington and beyond
As of August 22, the City of Burlington animal shelter remains closed to the public and standing committee and council meetings are still being held virtually.
Premier Doug Ford, in his keynote address to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, recently said “…I encourage everyone to do their part, get your shots and ensure you have the most protection possible, for yourselves, and for others.”
Travel
Proof of a negative COVID-19 test result is required whether you are entering Canada by car or plane. No test is required for flights within Canada. Even if you are seeking the fully-vaccinated exemption, you must have a quarantine plan in place for where you can stay for at least 14 days. All travellers to Canada must enter their information into ArriveCAN before and after their arrival in Canada.
The U.S. land border remains closed until September 21 and the Government of Canada continues to advise travellers to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada. Canadians can enter the U.S. by air and are able to travel back to Canada by air or through the land border.
Sources:
Government of Canada, 2021. Pandemic COVID-19 All Countries: Avoid Non-Essential Travel Outside Canada. Url: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/221 (accessed August 22, 2021).
Government of Ontario, 2021. Premier Ford’s Keynote Address to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Url:https://news.ontario.ca/en/speech/1000742/premier-fords-keynote-address-to-the-association-of-municipalities-of-ontario (accessed August 22, 2021).
Halton Region, 2021. Status of COVID-19 Cases in Halton. Url: https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Immunizations-Preventable-Disease/Diseases-Infections/New-Coronavirus/Status-of-COVID-19-Cases-in-Halton (accessed August 29, 2021).
Halton District School Board, 2021. How We’re Maintaining Healthy and Safe Facilities. Url: https://rsp.hdsb.ca/health-facility (accessed August 22, 2021).
Halton Catholic District School Board, 2021. Register Your Child in Secondary Remote Learning at HCDSB for September 2021. Url: https://www.hcdsb.org/2021/08/register-your-child-in-secondary-remote-learning-at-hcdsb-for-september-2021/ (accessed August 22, 2021).
Joseph Brant Hospital, 2021. COVID-19. Url: https://www.josephbranthospital.ca/en/quality-and-performance/covid-19.asp (Accessed Aug. 30, 2021).
Joseph Brant Hospital, 2021. Essential Care Partners & Visitors. Url: https://www.josephbranthospital.ca/en/patients-and-visitors/visiting-hours.asp?_mid_=33637 (accessed, August 22, 2021).
McMaster University, 2021. Health & Safety. Url: https://covid19.mcmaster.ca/campus-health-safety/ (accessed August 22, 2021).
Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, 2021. RNAO Launches #FullyVaccinated Social Media Campaign and Calls for Mandatory Vaccination for Health-Care Workers. Url: https://rnao.ca/news/media-releases/rnao-launches-fullyvaccinated-social-media-campaign-and-calls-for-mandatory (accessed August 21, 2021).
