Media Release
COVID-19 Update: Updates from the City of Hamilton - Jun. 05, 2020
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 9am this morning, there are 727 confirmed positive cases, 7 probable cases, and 40 deaths from COVID-19 in Hamilton. More details about cases are available on the City’s website including demographics, risk factors, exposure, etc.
“HAMILTON REOPENS” – NEW FOR JUNE 5
Escarpment Stairs
Earlier today, staff began removing barricades and installing signage on the escarpment stairs. All of the stairs are now open. Residents choosing to use the escarpment stairs should continue to keep 2m or 6ft of distance between themselves and others as much as possible. Given the railings are not sanitized, those using the stairs should use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash their hands with soap and warm water as soon as possible after using the stairs. As well, users should not gather in large groups or join crowds at the stairs.
Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Recovery
Yesterday the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Recovery held its first meeting. The membership of the Task Force represents a diverse cross-section of many of Hamilton’s key partners and growth sectors including our three Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), our restaurant, hospitality and entertainment sectors, and our academic and non-profit communities. The Task Force will create an aggressive, action-driven plan for immediate, near-term results, and look to position the City for long-term sustainable economic recovery.
Digital initiative to help Hamilton’s hard-hit small business community
To help support our local small business community, the City has been selected as one of eight municipalities to participate in the ShopHERE powered by Google program. The program helps independent businesses and artists set up online stores to help minimize the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal in Hamilton is to help businesses and artists gain the skills they need to build their own online store. Hamilton small businesses and artists can apply for this free program by visiting http://shophere.hamiltonbusinesscentre.ca/.
Funding for social service providers and community organizations
The City has provided another $37,400 to local community organizations to support them in the delivery of delivering their services during the COVID pandemic, including: Keeping Six and HAMSMaRT, Hamilton Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army Lawson Ministries Hamilton, Global Citizens Care for Underprivileged and Refugee Empowerment, Hamilton and District Senior Citizens Home RAMBYNAS Inc., and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
The City’s funding application for social service providers and community organizations provides funding to support efforts and services affected by COVID-19. The funding need must be generated by COVID-19 and be required for continued delivery of critical services, to hire additional staff or promote social distancing and self-isolation to keep people safe and healthy.
“HAMILTON REOPENS” Reminders
Summer Recreation Programs
The City has announced that all City-run summer recreational programming and all summer Camp Kidaca programs, as well as the usual Free Summer Supie programs will be cancelled for summer 2020. As a result, the City will not be hiring any summer recreation students.
There are a number of recreation opportunities still available for families to participate in this summer. These include:
- Recreation at Home – Posted resources and activities for children and their families. Create an activity calendar by mix and matching 12 weeks of programming ideas. Posted videos will demonstrate selected activities and encourage further play, engagement, and challenge.
- EarlyON Child and Family Centres Virtual Programming – EarlyON centres are offering a variety of virtual programs such as story, music and gathering times, as well as activities that families can do at home with their children aged 0-6 years. EarlyON centres are also offering Indigenous and French Language programming for families.
- Hamilton Public Library Virtual Branch – New and favourite library programs – all online. Enjoy preschool get ready to read programs, school-age summer reading and discover at home programs, and teen reading and writing. Find lots of activities, new books and countless summer reading club programs for all ages. It’s a whole summer of fun.
- Senior Centre without Walls – Seniors’ Centre Without Walls provides free recreational activities over the phone with a group of other older adults in the community. SCWW allows participants to socialize and join in on Trivia, Family Feud, Finish the Lyrics, Brain Games and Fitness Classes with no special equipment required. Pre-registration required by calling 905-973-0891 or emailing [email protected].
June is Senior’s Month, a time for us to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of older adults in our community. This year, it’s particularly important that we stay connected virtually and support seniors in our community. Please take some time to reach out and check in with the seniors in your life or neighbourhood.
In addition to these recreation opportunities already available, we have several other new activities that will be starting up later this summer once the City is able to confirm logistics and the provincial orders related to gatherings are lifted. These include:
- Recreation at Home Activity Kits – Recreation staff are preparing take and play kits with games and activities from some popular recreation programs. We anticipate that kits will be distributed in the community starting in July.
- Free Fitness in the Park – Fitness instructors will lead organized fitness classes at community parks for all ages and abilities. Program features include Tai Chi and Family Boot Camp and classes will be scheduled in parks where physical distancing can be maintained.
- Child Safety Courses – The City is partnering with an online, Home Alone safety course provider to assist 9 to12 year-olds in taking their first step toward independence without direct adult supervision. These courses will be offered at a reduced rate to Hamilton residents and can be completed at the child’s own pace, on their own time, with opportunities for engagement and discussion with caregivers.
- Senior of the Year Award – This year’s Senior of the Year Awards event has been postponed indefinitely. However, we still want to recognize and celebrate the important contributions of seniors in our community. Senior’s Award recipients will be named in the coming months and will be recognized in a different and unique way. More information will be shared once available at https://www.hamilton.ca/city-awards/senior-year-awards.
Visit www.hamilton.ca/reopens for more information on these summer programming options.
City parks and park amenities
The public is reminded that City parks and some park amenities are open for use within Public Health guidelines such as physical distancing and not gathering in groups of more than five. Sports fields can be used for passive use by families and small groups of five people or less, who are physical distancing. No organized sports or team sports are permitted on any City sports fields or diamonds. Park benches and other park amenities are also open for use. Residents are reminded that spray pads, drinking fountains and playground structures are still closed.
Water Safety
With businesses and other buildings in Hamilton starting to reopen or bring back more staff or other visitors, it’s important to remember that there can be risks associated with stagnant water. If you are a property owner and your building has been closed, or if water usage in the building has decreased significantly because of low occupancy, it’s your responsibility to ensure the safety of water on your property.
To reopen safely, businesses are encouraged to follow the City of Hamilton’s water safety checklist for safely reopening buildings. The checklist provides the necessary actions such as mapping and flushing of water systems, disinfecting and cleaning, testing and continued maintenance.
Public Health officials advise wearing face coverings
Public health officials began recommending this week that the public wear face masks when going out to run errands, attend medical appointments, taking transit, etc.
HSR Reminders
HSR is strongly encouraging customers to consider wearing a face covering when using public transit. It is not mandatory but can help protect others in spaces where physical distancing can be hard to maintain. The City wants to remind customers that transit continues to be for essential travel only. Operators are committed to providing a safe, reliable and professional service and will do their best to limit instances of over-crowding by monitoring the boardings of 10 or 15 customers the best they can, while safely operating buses. The public is reminded to adhere to the public health measures that have been put in place.
Announcements From Other Levels Of Government
The federal government today announced support to help Canadians with disabilities deal with extra expenses during the pandemic. This support includes a special one-time, tax-free payment to individuals who are certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit as of June 1, 2020.
The federal government today announced a contribution of $14 billion to support a safe economic restart. Funding will go in part to supporting cities and frontline services such as public transit and community programs. The funding is also being provided to support enhanced PPE for frontline health workers, support for childcare, assistance to vulnerable people including seniors, and the previously announced support for 10-day sick leaves for workers.
The provincial government announced the Premier's Council on Equality of Opportunity, a new advisory group that will provide advice on how young people can overcome social and economic barriers and achieve success. The council will also advise government on long-term actions that can be taken to support youth during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Additional Resources
- For regular City of Hamilton COVID-19 updates, please visit www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus and www.hamilton.ca/covidclosures
- For information about Hamilton Reopens, please visit www.hamilton.ca/reopens
- Visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19
- Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]
- Information about financial supports available from other levels of government to help individuals and families experiencing challenges due to COVID-19: https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/financial-support-individuals
- Caring for our mental health during the COVID-19 emergency:
- COAST: 905-972-8338
Media Contacts:
Jasmine Graham
Senior Communications Officer
City of Hamilton
905-973-2829
[email protected]
Michelle Shantz
Communications and Media Advisor
Office of Mayor Fred Eisenberger
905-546-4225
[email protected]
Tags
People & Programs
Public Health
COVID-19
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