Information on COVID-19

Date
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Last Updated January 26, 2021.
 

Information on this page:

 

Latest Updates

  • January 25, 2021 - The Province of Ontario has extended the stay-at-home order until February 9, 2021.
  • January 14, 2021 - Update from Middlesex Centre's Chief Building Officer to home builders with regards to the new stay-at-home orders.
  • Stay at Home Order Graphic
    January 12, 2021 - The Province of Ontario has declared a second state of emergency, and issued a stay-at-home order (effective Jan. 14) in response to rising COVID-19 cases. 
  • January 12, 2021 - If you are a health care or other frontline worker whose children are enrolled in school and are in need of emergency child care due to the school closures, please visit the County of Middlesex website for up-to-date information on eligibility, child care sites, and registration.
  • December 22, 2020 - In response to the province-wide shutdown, some Middlesex Centre services and facilities will be closed or have limited access. Please see the full list below.
  • December 13, 2020 - The Province of Ontario has released initial information on the distribution, availability, and safety of COVID-19 vaccines
  • July 22, 2020 - Middlesex Centre Council passed a by-law in support of the Middlesex-London Health Unit's requirement that masks or face coverings be worn in all indoor spaces that are publicly accessible. 

 

Municipal Services Update

For the Municipality of Middlesex Centre, the health and well being of our community is our primary concern.

On March 17, Mayor DeViet declared a State of Emergency for Middlesex Centre. We are now in the process of Reopening Middlesex Centre, following the direction of the Province and our local health unit.  

For information on each service, please click on the title. 

Municipal Office

Under the province-wide shutdown, the municipal office in Coldstream is closed to the public. Many services remain available online or by appointment.

As staff may be working remotely during the office closure:

  • We encourage residents and businesses to take advantage of our online services where possible (billing, building permits), or to contact staff via phone or email.
  • We also ask for your patience during this time, as we may require longer to respond to your emails and phone calls. If you have an emergency situation, please use the emergency numbers listed at the top of our staff list.
Building Permits

Building Services are issuing permits and conducting inspections as permitted under Provincial COVID-19 directives.

Please use the online building permit system and/or contact the building services department by email as our office is closed to walk-in visitors at this time.

If applicable, be sure to read our updates for home builders and developers. This information is being updated as Provincial guidelines change.

Waste & Recycling

Update from Bluewater Recycling Association: Waste and recycling will continue to be collected on your usual collection day.

Bluewater Recycling Association is asking for your help to keep their employee's safe at this time.  Please follow their guidelines for safe waste disposal during global COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Place used tissues and napkins in the garbage. Wash your hands afterwards.
  • Bag all waste. Do not place waste loosely in garbage containers.
  • Note that masks and gloves should be put in a bag and then into your waste bin. They should not be put in the recycling.
  • If you’re sick: place ANY item that has come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage – even items that you normally place into your recycling bin (eg. water/beverage bottles, pop cans, etc.).

Waste Depots

Middlesex Centre residents have access to a number of waste depots both in and outside of the municipality. Depots may be closed, have different hours or have other limitations at this time:

  • Middlesex Centre’s EnviroDepots are now closed for the season.
  • Try Recycling Depot on Clarke Rd. is open. This depot operates year-round, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. This site accepts: yard waste, e-waste, tires, mixed construction and demolition waste, white goods, metal and large bulky items. If a fee is required, only debit, Visa and Mastercard payments will be accepted at this time. Please check the Try Recycling website for service updates and changes. 
  • City of London's Household Special (Hazardous) Waste Depot is open. Middlesex Centre residents may bring their household hazardous items to the London Depot. Please be sure to check their website for service updates and changes.
Roads & Snow Clearing

Snow clearing and road maintenance will continue as normal during the shut-down.

Please remember that there is no parking overnight (2 am to 7 am) on municipal roads at this time. Also, at the end of each day please bring in any hockey nets or other items you may have at the roadway.

Water / Wastewater 

Water and wastewater treatment will continue as normal during the province-wide shut-down.

Fire Services - Outdoor Fires & Fireworks

Fire Services will continue as normal during the province-wide shut-down.

OUTDOOR FIRES

As always, you MUST follow the Open Air Burning rules. Please see the Open Air Burn Quick Guide.

To reduce the risk to our fire fighters, there will be zero tolerance for those not following the rules.

FIREWORKS

Consumer fireworks are allowed on Victoria Day and Canada Day without a permit - permits are required on all other dates. Please see the Middlesex Centre Fireworks Bylaw and the Consumer Fireworks Flowchart for further information and safety tips.

Unfortunately, based on federal and provincial direction as applicable to gatherings, and the increased risk to our fire fighters, NO display fireworks events will be approved until further notice.

We appreciate your co-operation.

Parks, Playgrounds & Sports Fields

General park areas and trails are open at this time. 

Please see the chart on the Reopening Middlesex Centre webpage for details on specific amenities.

  • Playgrounds are open (weather permitting).
  • Ball hockey court and skate parks are closed for the season.
  • Limited tennis/pickleball courts open (weather permitting).

Note that washrooms are closed at all parks.

Remember: Keep your dog on a leash and clean-up after it ("poop & scoop").

While enjoying the parks, please do your part and stay apart!

  • Practice physical distancing (keeping 2m / 6ft apart).
  • Avoid gathering in groups outside of your immediate household. Ontario currently limits outdoor gatherings to groups of 5 people (outside of your immediate household).
  • Obey all posted closure signage.
  • Please stay home if you feel unwell.

Other parks and natural areas in our community may have limited uses, special rules, or reduced services available. Please check with them before you head out.

Recreation Programs & Facilities
  • Community centres are closed until further notice.
  • Ilderton Arena is closed until further notice (province-wide shutdown).
  • The Komoka Wellness Centre is closed until further notice (province-wide shutdown).
    • Please contact our Facility Booking team for details about arenas and community rooms.
    • Please contact the YMCA for information on their hours and service availability.
    • Please contact the Middlesex County Library for information on their hours and service availability.
  • Recreational Skating Programs are cancelled until further notice.
  • The Ilderton Curling Club will not be operating this winter season.
Clerk Services (Licencing)

The services of the municipal clerk, including marriage licencing, commissioning of oaths and lottery licencing, are available by appointment only. Please contact the office for details.

Council Meetings

In response to the need for physical distancing, municipal council meetings are being held virtually. Please see the council meeting page for details. 

Water, Tax & Other Bills: Financial Relief Considerations

tax  and Water bill due date changes

You may notice that we’ve changed the due date for your first tax instalment, which is traditionally due in February, to March 31, 2021. This is in response to the stay-at-home order issued by the Province of Ontario in January.

You’ll also see a similar change to the due date of your February Middlesex Centre utility (water) bill.

Please note: 

  • For taxes: If you pay by Pre-Authorized Payment with monthly billing, funds will be withdrawn at your usual schedule. If you pay by Pre-Authorized Payment when your bill is due, your first payment will come out in March.
  • Any prior outstanding balances on your property taxes and/or utility bill will continue to accrue interest.

 

COVID-19: Financial Relief Measures for Residents and Local Businesses

Middlesex Centre Council and staff understand that some residents and local businesses may be experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At their emergency meeting on March 30, 2020, Middlesex Centre Council approved a number of financial measures were put in place to help those most in need of support. Most of these measures have now expired. 

  • If you require a special payment arrangement due to financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, contact the municipal office. 

Middlesex Centre staff are here to help you through this challenging time. Please be in touch if you have any questions or concerns.

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Paying your Bills

Although the office is now open for bill payments, we encourage you to consider using payment methods that do not require you to come into the office if possible.

These options for paying your bills include dropping off a cheque in the deposit box at the municipal office, paying online through your financial institutions, or setting up pre-authorized payments for future bills.

If you have any questions about your bills, contact our water billing or property tax emails.

COVID-19 Updates & E-Newsletters

Updates from Mayor DeViet

Please click below to see updates from Mayor DeViet regarding Middlesex Centre's response to COVID-19

COVID-19: Messages from the Mayor

 


Middlesex Centre E-Newsletters

Sign-up for Municipal Emails 

Recent Issues:

As the situation changes updates will be provided here and on social media.

 

Health Resources

Health information about COVID-19 and best practices to prevent the spread of the disease continue to evolve as medical professionals learn more about this disease. Below you'll find links to reliable health information sources.
 

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

Covid-19 Self-assessment tool

Getting Tested for COVID-19  

COVID-19 Vaccines

 

Health Information Sources

Mental Health Resources

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

 

Supports for People & Families

The following services are provided by community and government agencies. We will do our best to keep the information up-to-date, but recommend you contact any agencies for their availability.

For more information on each service, please click on the title.

Social Services 

Ontario 211

For information on social services (mental health support, housing, senior care, etc.), please call or visit Ontario 211. 

Call: 2-1-1
Toll-free: 1-877-330-3213
TTY: 1-888-340-1001

Government & Other Financial Supports

Wondering which level of government is responsible for a specific service during this time? The following chart summarizes the key roles of the municipal, county, provincial and federal governments (pdf version).

Chart - Roles and Responsibilities during the COVID-19 Emergency; pdf version available.

Government of Canada Supports

Government of Ontario Supports

  • COVID-19 - Support for People (financial, mental health and other supports available during COVID-19)
  • COVID-19 Emergency Assistance (support for individuals and families in financial crisis to cover needs such as food, rent, medicine, transportation and other services during this public health crisis)
     

County of Middlesex Social Services

 

Middlesex Centre Supports

  • Please see above under "Water, Tax & Other Bills: Payments & Financial Relief Considerations"

 

Hydro One Supports

Food Banks

Please contact the food banks before visiting, as their hours of operation and pick-up processes are subject to change.

Can you help? Local food banks are in need of donations. Please visit their website or Facebook pages to see what they need most, and how you can safely make a donation at this time.

Jobs in Middlesex County

 

Supporting our Local Farms & Businesses

Link: Resources for Farms & Business

One of the biggest supports we can offer our local businesses is our business.

Order take-out, buy a gift card for future use, or shop/use their services (if open). Be sure to call or visit their Facebook page or website before you head out to see if they are accepting in-person shoppers at this time.

You can also see:

 

Share your Concerns, Questions & Comments

Report a Concern:  If you are concerned about people or businesses not respecting the measures put in place under the federal, provincial and/or municipal states of emergency and wish to report a complaint, please do not call 911. The number to contact the OPP for non-urgent incidents is 1-888-310-1122, or you can report online.

General Comments: Do you have ideas, questions or comments about how Middlesex Centre is responding to the COVID-19 emergency? Share your thoughts using our online feedback form or by contacting us by telephone or email.