By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The COVID-19 updates Cobourg council heard regularly from Chief Administrative Officer Tracey Vaughan are no more – as of the final one she delivered at Monday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting.
The Emergency Control Group has been paused, Vaughan said.
Though it can be reconstituted in minimal time if events warrant, she added, the move was made based on declining case rates and indicators and the province’s new approach to COVID of learning to live with it and finding safe ways to reopen communities.
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit is updating the statistics it reports on its website three times a week instead of five, and – for the first time – breaking down figures by lower-case municipality.
The Federal government is reviewing its travel restrictions – though the fact that some countries are experiencing a resurgence could slow down this process.
Though masking is now a choice, she said, HKPR Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking is still encouraging the other precautions that have helped slow the spread, such as hand hygiene and social distancing. This goes for staff too, she added.
And if you haven’t had your booster shot, they are available at pharmacies, many doctors’ offices, mobile clinics and – for now- at the health unit office in Port Hope.
On the meeting’s agenda was the new human-resources policy on COVID-19 vaccination that reflects the province’s changes.
Provisions that encourage individuals to be fully vaccinated, require newly hired employees to disclose their vaccination status and continue workplace-safety controls will remain in place. The updated policy will have two new provisions.
First, staff will be required to self-monitor daily for symptoms – those who exhibit any are to remain at home and follow all provincial guidelines in effect regarding any isolation periods.
Second, staff will be encouraged to utilize their sick time if they feel unwell.
