The Province of Ontario is scheduled to return to its revised three-phase re-opening plan on January 31, 2022. The County of Prince Edward will update available services to align with the provincial guidelines.
Highlights of the County’s plan during the first phase include the re-opening of municipal facilities, continuing in-person customer service by appointment, extending the untagged garbage bag program and conducting virtual meetings for Council and committees.
Arenas, town halls, museums and community centres:
Municipal recreation and community facilities will re-open with capacity limits as of January 31.
- Spectator areas of arenas will open with capacity limits of 500 at the Lehigh Arena in Wellington and 250 at the Huff Estates Arena in Picton.
- The walking track at the Wellington and District Community Centre will be open from 8 am until 3 pm continuously with a capacity of 20 walkers at any one time.
- Proof of vaccination is required at municipal arenas for all participants and spectators age 12 or older. An enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate with a QR code will be required to enter. To download your enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate, visit the Provincial vaccination portal.
- Canteens and vending machines in the arenas will remain closed. Outside food and drink can be consumed while seated. Patrons may temporarily pull down their mask to consume food and drink and then immediately return the mask to covering their nose and mouth.
- Community centre venue spaces and town halls will open with a 50 per cent capacity limit for organized public events.
- The County Museums will reopen with capacity restrictions and proof of vaccination requirements during the first phase. For details on each location, events and hours of operation please visit the Museums’ webpage.
- Public skating will resume with a capacity of 50 skaters.
Mask requirements:
Masks continue to be required in all indoor settings. The County is increasing enforcement of mask requirements in County-operated facilities, including arenas and town halls. Spot checks will occur over the next several weeks and people found not wearing a mask or improperly wearing a mask could be subject to a fine up to $1,000. Those with medical or religious exemptions must provide written proof of the exemption.
Customer service (payments, Clerk’s office, burn permits, etc.):
Municipal offices at the Edward Building (280 Picton Main Street) and the Picton fire station (8 McDonald Drive) will remain open to the public by appointment only until February 20, 2022. Drop-in service will resume on February 21, coinciding with second phase of the provincial re-opening plan. To limit contact and ensure the safety of both the public and staff, the County urges the public to access services online whenever possible.
To make an appointment for in-person service contact:
- Customer service / payments: 613.476.2148 extension 1023 or 613.962.9108 extension 1023, or info@pecounty.on.ca
- Planning and building services: 613.476.2148 extension 2040 or building@pecounty.on.ca
- Fire Station 1 (Picton): 613.476.2345 or fire@pecounty.on.ca
- Clerk’s office: 613.476.2148 extension 1020 or email clerks@pecounty.on.ca
Garbage bag tag relief:
In order to limit trips outside the home to obtain garbage bag tags, residents will be permitted to leave out one untagged bag of garbage each week for curbside pick-up until February 20, 2022, to coincide with phase 2 of the provincial re-opening plan.
Virtual Council and committee meetings:
County Council meetings will continue to be held virtually during phase 1. The public can watch Council’s budget deliberations, or Council, Committee of the Whole, and Planning Committee meetings live on the County’s YouTube channel. Members of the public who want to make a deputation or provide a comment as an audience member can do so through Zoom. Email the Clerk’s office at clerks@pecounty.on.ca for more information.
Public Library:
In-person book browsing and computer use is still available at the Prince Edward County Public Libraries. Curbside service is available at all branches. Visit the Library website for more information about available services and updates about returning to in-person programming.
For more information call 613.476.2148 extension 1023 or 613.962.9108 extension 1023 or email info@pecounty.on.ca.