COVID-19 Recovery & Resources

September 3, 2020 – Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the health and safety of both residents and staff has been a priority for the Town of Midland. Over the course of the Municipal Office closure, staff have continued to work both remotely and at the office, offering essential services by appointment, while adhering to guidance and recommendations from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

With health and safety protocols now in place, the Town of Midland Municipal Office will be fully reopening to the public on Monday, September 14, 2020. The team will monitor the situation carefully and welcome feedback from our residents. Should the situation require changes we will react accordingly and update the public.

What to expect when visiting the Municipal Office:

• Visitors should enter via the Third Street doors;
• Reserved customer parking will be available in the Third Street parking lot;
• Visitors will need to self-screen before entering;
• If you are sick, please stay home. Please do not enter the Municipal Office;
• Face masks/coverings are mandatory. Age and Medical exemptions will apply;
• Visitors must sanitize their hands when entering the building;
• All visitors will maintain at least 2 metres (6 feet) of distance from others; and
• A midday closure will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for high-touch point cleaning.

Signage and traffic flow guides have been installed to fully illustrate the new rules/protocols when entering the building.

Click here to read the full media release.

• Downtown Midland has a full list of local downtown businesses that are operating, with links to business websites and more. Be sure to check it out regularly for updates!
• The Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce has a thorough business directory available online.
• The Heart of Georgian Bay has been providing COVID-19 updates as well as updated event and tourism listings.

At its August 12 meeting, Midland Town Council approved the extension COVID Relief Measures for Taxes and Utility Interest, designed to help alleviate financial concerns for residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following measures are in place:

• Penalties and interest will not be applied for non-payment of the property tax instalment due June 29, or any subsequent instalments due in 2020 until October 31, 2020;
• Penalties and interest will not be applied for non-payment of utility accounts until October 31, 2020; and
• All returned cheque fees on tax and utility payments will be waived until October 31, 2020.

In addition, Council approved the extension of rent relief for two small business tenants at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre (NSSRC): Olympia Sports and The Snack Shack, who were impacted by the closure of facilities/amenities under the provincial COVID-19 emergency orders. With the facility only recently reopening at limited capacity, the ability of these small businesses to operate is still impacted.

Click here to read the full media release.

With safety protocols in place and options for fare payments now available, on Monday, August 24, Mid-Pen Transit Service will resume its regular schedule and begin collecting fares from transit riders.

The resumption of the regular transit schedule means the Penetanguishene route will begin at 6:30 a.m., Midland South at 6:45 a.m., and Midland North at 7:15 a.m. Saturday service will also resume, beginning August 29. For full details on the transit schedule, please visit Midland.ca/Transit.

With fare collection resuming, transit riders have the option of paying with exact fare ($2.50 for adults age 18-64, $2.25 for students age 7-17 and seniors age 65+) or through reloadable transit SmartCards.

Transit riders can reload SmartCards at the following locations:

• North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre (Midland)
  • Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
  • No appointment needed.
    
    
• Penetanguishene Municipal Office
  • Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
  • No appointment needed.
    
    
• Penetanguishene Public Library
  • Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
  • No appointment needed.
    
    

Click here to read the full media release.

The North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre (NSSRC) began welcoming visitors for the first time on Sunday, July 26, when the first on-ice training session took place.

Participants (and their parent(s)/guardian(s) if they’re under the age of 18) must complete an Acknowledgement, Release, Indemnity & Assumption of Risk Regarding COVID-19 Waiver and a NSSRC COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire before being granted entry into the facility. The questionnaire must be completed every time a participant wants to enter the facility for training sessions. The forms can be completed online via computer or mobile device. “As pleased as we are to be able to provide ice time once again, it’s important that participants follow the rules and restrictions that are now in place,” said Dave Bressette, Manager of the NSSRC. “The protocols are designed to protect the health and safety of not only the participants, but staff as well so that we can ensure the facility remains open and available for use.”

The online forms, as well as a Rules & Restrictions document are available at Midland.ca/NSSRC.