The City’s decision to close all municipal facilities on Tuesday morning was just one of the steps we are taking to reduce the risk to our residents and staff. We would like to reiterate to our residents that these are preventative measures. Efforts like these are being taken across the Province and the more we can do to reduce potential exposure, the better. We continue to follow the lead of our local health officials and our governments to ensure we are doing all that we can to protect our community.
Access to City Hall is restricted to only those persons who have scheduled an appointment. Residents are encouraged to conduct business via telephone or online instead of in-person. Please contact customer service at 613-968-6481. A reminder that while City facilities remain closed, operations continue. Many of our services can be accessed on our website including payment options, applications and online resources.
“Events have been moving very fast. Yesterday I was on a conference call with Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott and the provincial Medical Officer of Health,” said Mayor Mitch Panciuk. “Some of the items that came forward were the new provincial funding announced for dealing with the virus, upcoming legislative changes to allow us to conduct electronic meetings for Council and Committees and changes to facilitate less in person participation for residents accessing our services including provincial funding applications. We were promised information shortly on joint federal-provincial disaster relief funding, the next wave of community assessment centres for the COVID-19 virus and economic stimulus joint initiatives. The provincial government will also address the additional hardships for homeless and vulnerable people due to the restrictions on group sizes and the fact that so many buildings are closed to the public.
“The Belleville community is as always, stepping up and offering support and assistance, demonstrating again what a strong, caring and resilient city we are,” said Mayor Mitch Panciuk. “Our health care providers, our first response teams, our social services, are all doing an amazing job, and so is each of you. Giving those on their own a call, offering to pick up essentials and drop them off to those unable to do so – every one of these caring gestures is of value. I have never been as proud of Belleville residents as I am now. We are working together to take the recommended precautions to keep each other safe. A special thank you to City staff as even though City facilities are closed, they are ensuring operations continue for residents.”
Belleville Transit is an essential service for our community and will continue to run as scheduled. Residents are asked to practice recommended hygiene etiquette while utilizing transit. Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/public-health-measures-mitigate-covid-19.html
For ongoing updates regarding the City of Belleville’s precautionary COVID-19 measures visit: https://belleville.ca/city-hall/page/covid-19
Residents are reminded to practice social distancing as much as possible. It is recommended that a minimum of two metres be kept to prevent the spread of the virus.
For ongoing COVID-19 updates and ways to best protect you and your family visit: https://hpepublichealth.ca/
