WELLINGTON COUNTY – While other lower-tier municipalities in the county are extending facility closures one or two months at a time, Guelph-Eramosa and Wellington North are taking a somewhat longer-term approach.
“At this point, the decision will be to go indefinitely,” said Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White on April 2.
He added there’s no point in setting a re-opening date, as things are still changing so rapidly.
“This is uncharted territory,” White said, suggesting local closures will likely last until the end of May at least.
Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox also confirmed on April 2 that municipal facilities in his township are closed indefinitely.
“Consistent with the direction from the federal and Ontario governments, our facilities are closed until further notice, including recreational facilities, playgrounds, parks and any other gathering,” he stated in a letter to residents the previous day.
The County of Wellington has also extended its facility closures “until further notice.”
Meanwhile, Centre Wellington, Puslinch, Minto and Mapleton have extended local closures until May, and Erin has extended its closures until June.
Lennox encouraged all local residents to heed the advice of local health experts, notably social distancing.
“The provincial government has prohibited all organized public events of over five people, including parades, weddings, social gatherings and communal services within places of worship and I am confident our citizens will follow this directive and practice physical distancing and self-isolation to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being,” said Lennox in his April 1 letter.
White said most Guelph-Eramosa residents are adhering to distancing requirements, but some aren’t, so the township is trying hard to reaffirm that messaging.
He noted the next two to three weeks, and the preventative steps taken during that time, will be “telling” in terms of the local impact of the pandemic.
