Ribbons a show of support for those working during pandemic
Blue banners meant to honour health-care staff and other frontline workers
In driving through Buckhorn one morning I saw blue cloth tied around poles at the Buckhorn Community Centre and across the street at the school.
As I went further into town there were more blue ribbons on various businesses, poles, benches and the bridge. I asked at one of the convenience stores. “They are there to say thank you to the healthcare workers and other front-line workers that are helping all of us during COVID-19 and also, the convenience store and liquor store workers and those working at pharmacies and groceries.”
Next time you drive through may it help you remember to say thank you.
Service Ontario and licenses
If you have a driver’s license that is expiring or you need a sticker for your license plate here is what the Minister of Government and Consumer Services says, “We urge our customers not to visit a Service Ontario centre unless absolutely necessary,” said Lisa Thompson, minister of government and consumer services. “We encourage people to complete transactions online or use the extended validation period, and to follow the advice of our medical professionals and stay at home.”
These new regulations include extensions for driver licenses, license plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others. Expiring and expired health cards will continue to provide access to health services.
Hunting, fishing and boats
All hunting and fishing regulations remain in effect and unchanged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in a Facebook post.
The government is concerned about the premature opening of the recreational boating season. Here are the guidelines under which a marina can be opened.
A marina may operate but only to the extent necessary to enable individuals to access their primary place of residence including Indigenous communities (e.g. there is no land-based route to access the residence). Accessing seasonal cottages is inconsistent with the government’s “stay home, stop the spread” message.
Marinas may operate to support other essential services including policing and law enforcement.
Marinas may operate to support businesses that produce food, including by fishing, or to support the food supply chain. Marinas are not to support recreational or sport fishing.
Check out the Transport Canada website for more information. It says that if you are planning on travelling by water take only members of your household with you. While preparing to leave shore and on the water, try to keep a distance of at least two arm lengths (approximately two metres) from other boats and people who do not live in your household. This is the length of approximately half a canoe, one fishing rod or one and a half wakeboards.
The Boating Ontario Association supports boaters having lots of information on its website.
Trent Lakes council
Because council chambers are closed due to COVID-19 precautionary measures the May 5 meeting will be held online. The meeting can be observed at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1163955510340892175. Webinar ID: 314-964-171. To listen by phone, call 1-888-816-4438 and use the access PIN 868-948-787.
If you have an accessible accommodation request or for further information, contact the clerk at clerk@trentlakes.ca.