Brad Clark Report

Hamilton – December 16, 2020: The Healthy and Safe Communities Department (Housing Services, Recreation, Public Health) has revised Hamilton’s Extreme COLD Weather Protocol in response to COVID-19 and in accordance with the COVID-19 provincial framework and restrictions.

The Medical Officer of Health for the City issues a Cold Alert when: the temperature drops or is expected to drop below -15°C (5°F); or when the temperature feels like -20°C (-4°F) with wind chill. A Cold Alert triggers a coordinated Community Cold Response approach that includes the City and various community agencies focused on outreach response for vulnerable populations and those experiencing homelessness; and a community response focused on individuals living in vulnerable conditions and/or with limited heat. Staff have conducted contingency planning to ensure a plan is in place for the 2020/2021 winter season that is responsive to the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework “Red” Restrict category that Hamilton currently is under, and ensuring plans are in place should the City be moved to the “grey” Lockdown category. 

City of Hamilton Recreation Centres active during cold response

The following recreation centers were selected as warming centers to serve the broader community need and because the necessary public health measures such as capacities, screening, physical distancing could be easily implemented:

• Ancaster Aquatic Centre, 47 Meadowbrook Avenue, Ancaster
• Bennetto Community Centre, 450 Hughson Street N., Hamilton
• Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre, 876 Cannon Street E., Hamilton
• Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre, 10 Market Street S., Dundas
• Hill Park Recreation Centre, 305 South Bend Road E., Hamilton
• Huntington Park Recreation Centre, 87 Brentwood Drive, Hamilton
• Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre, 192 Wentworth Street N., Hamilton
• Sir Allan MacNab Recreation Centre, 145 Magnolia Drive, Hamilton
• Stoney Creek Recreation Centre  45 King Street E., Stoney Creek
• Winona Recreation Centre 255 Winona Road, Winona

These facilities will be available in the event of a Cold Alert during their regular business hours with capacity limits and COVID-19 precautions in place.

To protect residents, COVID-19 precautions remain in place for all City sites:

• A maximum of 10 patrons may be in a facility, regardless of size, at one time.
• Locations are staffed at the front doors; staff will actively screen and register anyone who attends.

• Active screening will be done daily upon entering for all staff, volunteers and clients. Individuals will also be asked to self-monitor.
• Clients must wear masks/face coverings at these locations.
• Community Warming Centres are designed to support physical distancing; individuals will be instructed to physically distance around others. Signage reminding individuals about the importance of physical distancing will also be posted in these locations.
• Locations are stocked with proper hand hygiene supplies (i.e. pump soap, warm running water and paper towels or hot air dryers).
• In addition to routine cleaning, surfaces that have frequent contact with hands will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• Staff are trained on the safe use, care, disposal and limitations of PPE.
• Staff will contact Public Health for specific advice and control measures regarding anyone who displays systems or is suspected to have COVID-19.

Community Warming Centres

In addition to the identified recreation centres, select community agencies are also participating in this years Cold Alert response offering warming locations and drop in programs. Capacity restrictions will apply and COVID-19 precautions will be in place at these locations. The City continues to work with a number of community groups to secure some additional locations. This information will continue to be updated on the City website as agencies agree to participate.

Outreach Response

Cold Alert Response for vulnerable residents include increasing our emergency shelter capacity by using hotel spaces, increasing options for couples, and increased work with our Intensive Case Management programs to concentrate on housing placements/outcomes

Since March 2020 in response to the pandemic, Hamilton has expanded shelter space and has made investments in emergency shelters in order to ensure they are set up with COVID appropriate distancing and protocols in place.  The City continues to ensure adequate shelter space and drop-ins are available during the winter months.

During a cold alert the Street Outreach Team acts as the first contact and helps to:

• Ensure they monitor/visit known locations where homeless individuals reside
• Coordinate access to available shelter beds
• Refer to community supports

The Salvation Army

• Triages calls from the public about people on the street who may need shelter and monitor shelter space and availability. 

For more information and tips to stay warm, please visit www.hamilton.ca/cold 

Hamilton Remembrance Day Service moves online for 2020 

HAMILTON, ON – To honour and remember Canada’s Veterans while adhering to Public Health restrictions on large gatherings, this year’s Remembrance Day service will be presented in an online format to help continue to manage the spread of COVID-19.

Following the lead set by the National Service in Ottawa, this year there will not be a military parade or live performances. This also includes the cancellation of community services coordinated by local legions in the Hamilton area. Those who wish to have a wreath placed at the cenotaph on behalf of their organization are asked to leave their wreaths at the Hamilton Military Museum between November 4^th and November 10^th as there will be no public wreath laying for 2020.

On November 11^th, the public is encouraged to tune in at 10:30 a.m. on Cable 14, or online at www.cable14.com for Remembrance Day Services which will include a special broadcast of “Hamilton Remembers” highlighting past Remembrance Day Services in Hamilton.

Quick Facts

• The Lancaster will take flight over cenotaphs in Hamilton to honour the importance of this day.
• A series of educational videos on Remembrance Day will be available on the City of Hamilton Youtube Channel made by members of the Hamilton Veterans Committee and staff from the Hamilton Military Museum
• A collection of historic images of past military services will be on display on the historic Lister Block entitled “Hero Windows”. A live piper will play in front of the exhibit on November 4^th and November 11^th at 11 a.m.

Additional Resources:

All information regarding services of Remembrance in the City of Hamilton https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/festivals-events/remembrance-day-services

Hamilton Military Museum: https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/hamilton-civic-museums/hamilton-military-museum Hamilton Remembers Educational Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/InsideCityofHamilton

City of Hamilton virtual media updates on COVID-19 response

HAMILTON, ON – Mayor Fred Eisenberger will be joined by Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, and Paul Johnson, the City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Director, for a virtual media update on the City’s response to the COVID-19 situation at 4 p.m. this afternoon.

Going forward, the City’s media updates will typically be held each Monday at 4 p.m.    

Date:	Monday, October 26, 2020
Time:	4 p.m.
Watch/Listen:	Watch on the City’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/insidecityofhamilton Watch on Cable 14, on TV or online: www.cable14now.com
Attendees:	Mayor Fred Eisenberger     Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health Paul Johnson, EOC Director

We appreciate all of our local media for airing these important updates: Thank you 900 CHML, CHCH TV, Cable 14, The Spec and Hamilton Community News. It is vitally important that the public continue to be informed about this public health emergency, pandemic.

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton is encouraging residents to stay home and celebrate Halloween in different ways this year. Avoid attending parties/gatherings with others who live outside your household to limit the spread of COVID-19.

If you are handing out candy this year, follow Public Health measures to stay safe:

• Wear a non-medical mask that fully covers your nose, mouth and chin.
• Set up a trick or treating station outside, using a table to place treats on to maintain distancing.
• Portion treats out ahead of time to prevent contact & use tongs to hand out.  Do not leave out self-serve bowls of bulk candy.
• If you hand out treats indoors, place a sign on your door asking trick-or-treaters to knock instead of ringing the doorbell.
• Wash or sanitize hands frequently.
• Stay 2 metres away from trick-or-treaters.
• Build a candy slide, candy catapult or other fun, non-touch delivery methods.

If you are trick-or-treating this year, follow Public Health measures to stay safe:

• Minimize contact with others: trick-or-treat only with those who you live with and stay two metres apart from all others.
• Only trick-or-treat outside.
• Wash hands before eating candy.
• Choose a costume that allows a non-medical mask to be worn underneath and that allows you to easily wash your hands.
• Wash your hands before and after trick or treating and bring hand sanitizer with you.
• Avoid touching doorbells or railings, knock instead of using doorbells, use hand sanitizer after touching surfaces.
• Line up 2 metres apart if waiting for treats.
• Outline a plan with older children who are trick-or-treating on their own, including how to avoid situations such as crowded door steps or joining with other groups and talking about the number of homes they can visit.
• Remember the usual Halloween safety tips – dress for the weather, wear reflectors, watch for traffic, and check treats before eating

Thank you for doing your part this Halloween by celebrating safely. For more information, visit: www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/celebrations-during-covid-19