During Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Smiths Falls Fire Chief Chesebrough reported the latest data on Covid-19 in our region. “We have done exceptionally well at bringing the numbers down,” he announced.  As of last Friday, we had 21 active cases in the Lanark Grenville Leeds District, with one person in hospital. 

If the province were still using the colour-coded system, we would be in a green zone. 

Last week, the province dropped the vaccine eligibility age from 40 to 18. There’s currently not enough vaccine in our region for all in the 18-40 age group who are eligible. Now that vaccine appointments are opened to all adults, the province is working on a vaccine program for students age 12-17.

Also last week, the province announced they would begin a three-phase reopening approach, but details of that are limited. The first phase is expected to begin on June 18, by which time the province expects to have vaccinated all Ontario adults. 

There were reports last week of crowding on the beach. Police investigated, and contacted Dr. Paula Stewart. The groups on the beach were determined to be small enough and spaced far enough apart that no social distancing enforcement was required.

The health unit chose to open bathrooms at Murphy Park and Victoria Park with regular inspection, sanitization and cleaning.

It was announced last Friday at 4pm that splash pads could reopen, and the splash pad was opened Saturday at 10am in Smiths Falls.  Further recreational facilities will be opening in June.

Councillor Chris McGuire asked about the water trampoline that was a popular beach attraction in 2019. “With the splash pad open, and the beach open, will that be installed in the water anytime soon?”  Chief Chesebrough said that as of yet, they have received no direction to move forward on this.

Article by Janelle Labelle