Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt has issued an order permitting seasonal trailer parks to open earlier than usual. Under the same order, travel trailers or mobile homes on residential properties may be opened and occupied for purposes of self-isolation, in accordance with directives from the Medical Officer of Health. These temporary allowances have been made to accommodate residents returning to Haldimand after wintering abroad who have had to return earlier than expected and self-isolate for 14 days.

Normally, seasonal campgrounds and trailer parks are permitted to open from April 15 to October 31. Limitations on times of occupancy are a zoning by-law matter, & seasonal restrictions are related to health & safety concerns (adequate heating, and the functionality of communal water & sanitation systems). Given the mild weather, opening seasonal trailer parks early is not a significant concern. Legislatively, campgrounds & trailer parks are obliged to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Health Promotion and Protection Act & the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.

As long as these provincial requirements are met by site operators, campgrounds & parks may be opened early this year. Site operators will need to decide whether they are able to provide all necessary services & comply with all provincial legislation.

Furthermore, any resident who is required to self-isolate will be permitted to occupy an attached or detached secondary suite (e.g: motor home, travel trailer) on their residential property, regardless of zoning. Normally, use of such facilities would not be permitted under municipal zoning but will be as an interim measure.

“We were contacted by a number of residents stuck abroad and seasonal sites requesting flexibility under these exceptional circumstances,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “This order allows residents to access their trailers or mobile homes in order to self-isolate & prevent community transmission,” he added.

As per the written order, these special allowances will expire once the State of Emergency is lifted.