On Friday, June 19 at 12:01am, Haldimand County progressed into Stage 2 of the Province’s re-opening plan. County Staff are currently finalizing details to re-open certain facilities and re-introduce a number of services that were temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19.

Chief Administrative Officer Craig Manley provided a verbal update to Council on Tuesday, June 16, outlining next steps for gradually re-opening the County.

• It is expected that the Haldimand County Administration Building will re-open to the public on Monday, June 29. Certain services such as marriage licenses, permits and planning services will be offered on an appointment basis. Full details regarding the re-introduction of municipal services, as well as Administration Building visitor requirements (e.g. self-screening and physical distancing protocols), will be announced shortly.
• Council will resume in person meetings at the Haldimand County Administration Building (with physical distancing measures) at the Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 30.
• Summer Day Camps offered by the County have unfortunately been cancelled for 2020 given the significant difficulties in meeting Provincial safety requirements.
• Libraries and the museums in Cayuga and Caledonia will be re-opened in accordance with Provincial Guidelines in early July.
• The County is undertaking the required health approvals and is commissioning its outdoor pools to provide recreational swims for members of the community by the end of June. There will be reduced capacity limits and a process for residents to book swim times to ensure patron safety. Splash pads may not be able to be opened in 2020 given operational and safety considerations, however the final decision in this regard has not been made.
• At this stage arenas, a number of sport fields, community halls and events are still impacted by the Provincial Orders and limits on public gatherings that remain in effect.

“Resuming municipal services while ensuring that Staff and public safety are addressed in the COVID-19 environment has been very complicated and challenging in working out the logistics of our Stage 2 re-opening ,” Manley noted.  “We are pleased that the collective community efforts to reduce the virus transmission in Haldimand are finally allowing the County to resume some important community services and look forward to the time when full services are restored.”

The County has also been working to:

• finalize an expedited approval & permitting process that allows restaurant owners to set up temporary outdoor patios;
• re-open the Port Maitland Pier, Park and boat launch (coordinating the installation of additional portable washrooms, increased cleaning of these facilities, twice daily garbage pick-ups and the provision of on-site enforcement staff to address parking and public health order enforcement matters, including on weekends)
• examine opportunities to host ‘virtual’ summer camp programming;
• establish parameters for the eventual re-opening of arenas and other community facilities so that the County can proceed when it is safe to do so.

Residents and visitors are reminded that despite the re-opening of more municipal services to align with the broader reopening of the Province, COVID-19 remains a significant public health concern and physical distancing remains a requirement when using municipal services.  Further updates regarding the County’s re-opening plan will be shared as details are finalized.

Members of the public are encouraged to follow the County on Facebook/Twitter and check HaldimandCounty.ca/COVID-19 regularly for the most up-to-date information on municipal services, facilities and related COVID-19 details. Other helpful information – including frequently asked questions and key contacts – is also available on this page.