The City’s Municipal Law Enforcement (MLE) division and the Hamilton Police Service continue to monitor for compliance of the provincial emergency order issued last weekend under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act prohibiting organized public events and social gatherings of more than five (5) people.
The MLE will use a progressive enforcement approach if they do not obtain compliance or there is a repeated offence, and charges may be laid. Fines of up to $750 per individual may be applied, while corporations could face fines up to $500,000.
To report concerns about adherence to the provincial order:
Concern about a local business or public gatherings of 5+ people, without physical distancing: 905-546-2489 (546-CITY)
Business not following proper hygiene: 905-974-9848
Inquiring if a business is essential: 1-888-444-3659
Sunday was an unusually busy day in Ward 9. I was catching up on a pile of emails, returning phone calls and dealing with a wide range of constituent concerns. Early in the day, I drove out to the Devil’s Punch Bowl to check on some reports of drag racing, household garbage in a ditch as well as people congregating on the observation platform. In fact, the night before I received an email with a photograph of some misguided dingleberry climbing the Stoney Creek Cross. (see pic below – he’s halfway up the cross)
On the way home, I was struck with an overwhelming sense of frustration and exasperation. Alone and not prone to swearing, I found myself expressing out loud a stream of expletives reminiscent of that scene in Christmas Vacation when Clark Griswald learned that his Christmas bonus had been cancelled. I won’t share with you the exact words that I said but trust me when I say, it was out of character. Yet, it was totally cathartic. (Yes, like Clark… I also needed the Tylenol.)
I mean really. What is it going to take to get people to physically isolate themselves from other people? Every public health expert and every epidemiologist has agreed that quarantines and self-isolation is the only way to break the back of this viral beast that is plaguing the world and killing our family and friends. So, why would you put yourself and others at risk, by gathering in such proximity to complete strangers to view a vista that you will be able to see any time, after the virus has burned itself out. While I’m at it, who the heck was the moron that was willing to risk his life and the life of first responders by climbing this iconic cross? And please don’t tell me that he did it for a fleeting selfie!
Fortunately, my positive and hopeful outlook quickly returned as I drove by this quaint and gracious message of hope written on my neighbour’s sidewalk.
Truer words were never spoken. As such, I take great comfort in knowing that the vast majority of residents are following the advice of our public health care experts. I remain hopeful that we will continue to listen and abide to these scientists. I remain hopeful that our first responders, health care professionals and cleaners will continue to have the personal protection equipment that they need to keep themselves safe as they care for the ill. I remain hopeful that our hospitals will have the capacity and the required number of lifesaving ventilators. I remain hopeful that our senior levels of governments will ensure our hospitals have the requisite equipment to do their jobs. I remain hopeful that the City of Hamilton Emergency Operations Centre will continue to serve our communities well. I remain hopeful the promised emergency funding will start to flow to those who lost their jobs and are in real financial states of despair. I remain hopeful that this viral beast that has stolen thousands of lives will soon burn out and we can return to some sense of normalcy, scarred but having survived it.
EFFECTIVE FRIDAY APRIL 3rd – CHANGES TO HSR SERVICES
Restricting customer loads to 10 people on a 40 ft bus; and 15 people on a 60 ft articulated bus. Signs will be posted to identify which seats are not available for use.
Operators will be by-passing stops if the load on the bus is in excess of the above amounts, or if there are concerns with physical distancing.
All customers are now required to enter and exit through the rear doors. Customers using wheelchairs, scooters and personal mobility devices (PMD’s) are no longer being loaded from front door.
To facilitate access to the bus, customers using wheelchairs and scooters will be required to travel with a companion. The companion will be required to deploy the ramp under the direction of the operator. If there is a requirement for the wheelchair or scooter to be secured, the companion will be required to facilitate this as well.
HSR will now only be able to accommodate one ( 1 ) wheelchair/scooter per bus regardless of the vehicle size.
Between the hours of 1pm and 5pm the following routes will experience the greatest impacts:
2-Barton
1-King
5-Delaware
10-B line
Operators will not be policing these restrictions. It is the responsibility of everyone to adhere to physical distancing and respect the signs posted.
MONTLY PASSES
Details are still being finalized, refunds and/or credits for monthly bus passes will be issued.
HAMILTON, ON – Earlier today, Mayor Fred Eisenberger joined Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, and the City’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Director, Paul Johnson, to update media and the community on the City’s response to COVID-19.
As of noon today, there are 101 confirmed cases and one death from COVID-19 in Hamilton. More details about cases are available on the City’s website including demographics, risk factors, exposure, etc.
Timeline for Municipal closures/cancellations – May 25, 2020: The City has decided to suspend all City-run programming and extend the closure of all City facilities, parks, playgrounds, sports fields and City administration facilities until May 25, 2020. The City remains prepared to respond to emergencies. Emergency response by Hamilton Police, Hamilton Fire Department, and Hamilton Paramedic Services is not impacted. The public can still conduct some online business with the City during this time. We will continue to monitor federal and provincial orders between now and May 25. Residents are encouraged to monitor the City’s website and social media channels for ongoing updates.
Additional closures of municipal areas: Following provincial direction issued on March 30, the City has immediately implemented some additional closures of dog parks, skate parks, the Bayfront Park boat launch and several parking lots in high traffic areas in Hamilton. As well, while the escarpment stairs and trails in Hamilton remain open, residents are advised these are for essential use, or “walkthrough access” only. If using these spaces, Hamilton Public Health strongly recommends keeping 2m or 6ft between yourself and others at all times.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations: The City is now accepting donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide much-needed resources for the city-wide response to COVID-19. The equipment will be provided to frontline workers, emergency responders and other healthcare professionals.
The types of equipment that will be accepted include:
Surgical masks
N95 masks
Impervious gowns
Gloves
Face shields
Swabs
Hand sanitizer
The City is requesting these items from local healthcare providers, pest control, hospitality providers, nail salons and construction companies. Homemade equipment will not be accepted. To donate, please email ppe@hamilton.ca or call 905-546-2424 ext. 2257and make an appointment for drop-off at a location in downtown Hamilton.
Self-isolation for those over 70 years of age: Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health announced yesterday that he strongly urges those over the age of 70 or those with compromised immune systems or underlying medical conditions to stay at home. This means only leaving home or seeing other people for essential reasons, seeking services over the phone or internet and asking for help from friends, family or neighbours with essential errands.
Gatherings enforcement: On the weekend, the province took additional action to further stop the spread of COVID-19. Based on the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government issued a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to prohibit organized public events and social gatherings of more than five (5) people, effective immediately. It does not apply to households of more than five and child care centres supporting frontline health care workers and first responders. Funerals are permitted to proceed with up to 10 people at one time.
The role of the MLE and the Police will be to focus in on compliance. They will be encouraging everyone to follow the Provincial Orders relative to essential services including not having people gathering in groups larger than five (5) as now directed by order under the provincial Emergency Measures Civil Protection Act. The MLE will use a progressive enforcement approach if they do not obtain compliance or there is a repeated offence, and charges may be laid. Fines of up to $750 per individual may be applied, while corporations could face fines up to $500,000.
To report concerns around adherence to the provincial order:
If you have a concern about a local business or public gatherings of 5+ people, without physical distancing: 905-546-2489 (546-CITY)
Business not following proper hygiene: 905-974-9848
Inquiring if a business is essential: 1-888-444-3659
Price-gouging reporting: 1-800-889-9768
Public Transit: The City is asking the public to please take public transit for essential trips ONLY. In the interest of the health and safety of our operators and customers, customers should only be taking public transit because they need to get to work or a medical appointment. The public is asked to please NOT take transit if they do not absolutely need to and are not making an essential trip.
HSR is experiencing higher than normal call volumes on its customer service and ATS customer service lines. If you do not get through to a representative right away, please leave a detailed message and your call will be returned as quickly as possible.
HSR is currently reviewing their physical distancing procedures and will provide an update on that as soon as possible.
On March 30, 2020 Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that the Province had extended the March 17 Emergency Declaration under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Emergency declarations under the Act are for two weeks with two-week extensions. Extended also are all associated orders including the closure of non-essential workplaces and limiting social gatherings greater than five people.
In announcing the declaration, the Premier announced new orders to close outdoor recreational amenities such as sports fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, picnic areas, park shelters, community and condo gardens, and others. Gatherings of more than 5 people continue to be prohibited.
The order builds on local municipal government action and makes it consistent across Ontario. Green spaces in parks, trails and ravines can remain open for pass-through access, but visitors must continue to practice social/physical distancing. Enforcement of these closure orders can be carried out at the discretion of municipal by-law officers. AMO’s COVID-19 Resources page is being updated continually so you can find critical information in one place. Please send any of your municipally related pandemic questions to covid19@amo.on.ca.
Brad Clark Report 
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