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Mayor Keffer declares state of emergency in Bradford West Gwillimbury

Bradford West Gwillimbury declares emergency due to COVID-19
2018-12-19-rob keffer
Jenni Dunning/BradfordToday

From the Office of Emergency Management at the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury:

Today, March 23, 2020, Mayor Keffer has formally declared that an emergency exists in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A declaration of emergency under s.4 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act is determined based on an assessment of the impacts on the community, operational impacts to the Town and the ability to provide critical services to citizens. This follows the activation of the Town’s Emergency Operation Centre on March 16, 2020.

This emergency declaration aligns with the Province of Ontario’s declaration of emergency made on March 17, 2020 and the County of Simcoe’s declaration of emergency made on March 18, 2020.

This declaration recognizes the long-term challenges COVID-19 presents to the Province and our community and the need for an ongoing and comprehensive response. A declaration of an emergency under s.4 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act ensures the Town can use all available resources to protect the health and well-being of our residents and communicates the severity of the situation to our residents.

The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury is working closely with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and supports the recommendations of public health officials to help flatten the curve of the spread of COVID-19, including:

  • Avoid gatherings
  • Practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet at all times
  • Wash your hands for 15-20 seconds with soap and sanitize
  • Cough or sneeze into your arm
  • If you have any symptoms, self-isolate and contact a healthcare professional if symptoms persist
  • If you have travelled outside Canada recently, ensure you self-isolate for 14 days
  • If you have, or suspect you have COVID-19, contact healthcare authorities and please do all you can to self-isolate and avoid contact with people
  • The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury strongly reminds our residents that the risks of COVID-19 are very real and in our region. It is paramount that residents undertake all public health recommendations and the directions of our health care facilities and assessment centres to not exceed the capacity of our local health-care system.