Corporation of the Township of Zorra > Home > Info

COVID-19

This is where we will be posting all updates related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). For up-to-date COVID-19 information call the Southwestern Public Health infectious diseases team at 1-800-922-0096 (prompt #8).

Township Office Open

The Township of Zorra is continuing to take action in response to the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in Canada.

Please be advised the Township Office has reopened to the public and most of our staff are working in the office, with some spending time working remotely from home. Should you wish to meet with municipal staff, an appointment will be required. Please contact the office at 519-485-2490 to discuss. If you are feeling unwell or exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home.

The Township has implemented enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures at all Township facilities. The Township recognizes that these changing service levels may present a challenge to some citizens, however we would not take this action if we did not believe it was in the best interest of the community.

Date (2020)	Time	Item	Description
Jul 5/21		Municipal Office Reopened	As of July 5, 2021, the municipal office is open to the public with a limit of one household at a time in the lobby. Some staff may continue to work remotely some days, so it is recommended that residents book an appointment if they wish to visit the office to see a specific staff member. Face coverings are required for all persons in our office.
Jun 9/21		Step 1 Guidelines updated	As we move into Step One of reopening on June 11, 2021, we have updated our guidelines for use of outdoor facilities. Visit our recreation page for details.
May 20/21		Some outdoor recreational amenities will reopen	Ford announced today that as of May 22 at 12:01 a.m., golf courses, tennis courts, skateboarding parks, sports fields, BMX and skate parks, shooting ranges and archery ranges, and others, will be permitted to reopen with restrictions. Horse riding permitted, with restrictions. No outdoor sports or recreational classes are permitted. Public washrooms at Lions South Park and Matheson Park will also be open as well but the splash pad will not be open until we are in stage 1. Our municipal office and all facility buildings remain closed to the public.
Apr 17/21		Playgrounds reopened	Ford has announced that playgrounds and off-leash dog parks can be open. Staff are working to remove the caution tape and signs for these features. Baseball, pickleball, tennis courts and soccer fields and skate parks are still closed.
Apr 16/21		Further restrictions	Following today’s Provincial shutdown announcement, all Zorra parks and sports fields will be closed. Staff will be working to get notices posted over the next day.
Apr 1/21		Provincial Shutdown	Following today’s Provincial shutdown announcement, all Zorra recreation facilities will close to the public beginning April 3. All affected renters will be notified by email today. All drop-in programs will also be cancelled until further notice. Recreation staff are evaluating the operation of the Spring Break camp and will contact registered families as soon as possible.
Feb 12/21		Move to Red Zone	With SWPH being placed in the Red Zone effective next week, the Municipal will remain closed except by appointment only. Staff will continue to work remotely and are accessible through the Township phone system and by email. Recreation facilities will reopen on February 16th and will adhere to Red Zone measures. Drop-in programs (public skating, shinny, etc.) are cancelled until further notice.
Dec 21		Province-wide lockdown	The Province of Ontario has placed southern Ontario, including Zorra Township, in lockdown from December 26, 2020 until January 23, 2021. The Municipal Office will be closed except by appointment only. In accordance with Provincial directives, staff that are able to work from home, will. Should a resident need to meet with municipal staff, please call 519-485-2490 to arrange an appointment or by email. These changes will take effect after our regular holiday shutdown.
Nov 13		COVID-19 Plan	Starting Nov 16 at 12:01 a.m. the Province is moving the SWPH region, including Zorra Twp, into “Protect - strengthened measures” of their COVID-19 plan.
Nov 9		TDRC visitor tested positive	An individual who last visited the Thamesford District Recreation Centre on Sunday November 1, 2020 between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. has tested positive for COVID-19. We have been in contact with Southwestern Public Health and will be cooperating with their guidance.
Sep 19		Reduced limits for unmonitored and private social gatherings	The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Measures Table, is reducing limits on the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings across the entire province, including functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas. The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering across the province is: 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).
Aug 21		New rental protocols	The Recreation Department has implemented some new protocols for ice and hall rentals based on Stage 3 recommendations. Visit our recreation page for more info.
Jul 30		Masks Mandatory	Southwestern Public Health has issued a letter of instruction to implement mandatory face coverings in all enclosed spaces in Oxford County. Visit SW Public Health website for more details.
Jun 19	11:30	Field Restrictions eased	Baseball and Soccer field restrictions are eased immediately to allow practices and scrimmages for up to 10 players following posted precautions. League games remain prohibited at this time.
Jun 9		Summer Camps	Zorra Summer Day Camp will proceed to operate this summer in Thamesford and Embro with limited spaces available open to residents of Zorra Township only. Visit our Day Camp webpage for more info.
May 27	8:30	Zorra Office Reopened	Township Office has reopened but residents are encouraged to carry out municipal services online, where possible. For assistance with online services, please call 519-485-2490. Physical distancing will be practiced at the Municipal Office and the number of residents permitted in the lobby area will be limited to two at a time.
May 20	14:00	Some outdoor amenities reopened	We have reopened the following Recreation amenities based on Ministry of Health guidelines: dog park, skatepark, sports fields for use by members of the same household only, teams and leagues are not permitted, benches and shelters in parks.The following items remain closed under an Ontario provincial order: playgrounds, Thamesford pool and splash pad. View Q&A document here.
May 19	10:30	Dog Park Reopened	The Thamesford Dog Park has reopened but physical distancing requirements still apply. We continue to work with Southwestern Public Health to establish procedures before opening further outdoor park amenities.
May 12	10:55	Tax Payment Options	Not sure how to make your Zorra property tax payment during this time? List of options here.
Apr 20	13:30	Lawn Care and Landscaping	Township clarifies Lawn Care and Landscaping Operations during COVID-19. Full details here.
Apr 15	14:30	Report a COVID19 order violation	Find out how you can get advice, make a complaint or report a violation in Oxford, Elgin and the City of St. Thomas. Link to website here.
Apr 15	14:00	CES Oxford	Support and resources for workers and the business community. Link to website here.
Apr 15	14:00	Resources for businesses	Oxford County economic development agencies are working together to keep business informed as new resources become available. Link to website here.
Apr 14	9:00	4 Things about Waste Management	The County of Oxford has developed a short video to provide some information about Waste Management Services during this time. https://youtu.be/CEtQxnpecm8
Apr 7	9:00	Emergency Provincial Order	Gatherings of 5 or more persons prohibited by Emergency Provincial Order. $750 fines will be levied. If you see groups of more than 5 persons (except funerals) call OPP 1-888-310-1122.
Apr 3	15:00	SW Public Health FB Live	Southwestern Public Health hosting Facebook Live weekly COVID-19 update at 1pm every Friday.
Apr 2	15:00	Council meeting schedule	Frequency of Council meetings reduced to once a month through June 2020. Update on social media.
Apr 1	15:00	Twp reducing update frequency	Information flow has reduced so our updates will now occur Mon/Wed/Fri. Urgent matters will immediately be communicated through social media and our website. Posted on social media.
Mar 31	15:30	Province orders park amenities closed	By provincial order recreational amenities including: playgrounds, sports fields, skate and dog parks are closed. Update posted on social media.
Mar 30	14:00	2 confirmed cases of in Oxford County	Follow Southwestern Public Health on social media and visit their website for regular updates.
Mar 27	13:30	COVID-19 Update	CAO Don MacLeod provides daily update regarding COVID-19. View full details here.
Mar 26	13:00	Playground Equipment Closed	Playground equipment closed, parks still open. View news release here.
Mar 25	13:00	COVID-19 Update	CAO Don MacLeod provides daily update regarding COVID-19. View full details here.
Mar 24	13:00	Township essential services	Township services deemed to be essential and will remain operational. Read update here.
Mar 23	15:00	Oxford Mayors release update	Mayors from all nine Oxford municipalities released a joint update today. Read update here.
Mar 23	13:30	Caution about use of Park Equipment	Township issues caution about using equipment in parks. View today's news release here.
Mar 20	16:00	Building Inspections Limited	Decision was made to limit building inspections on site. View full notice here.
Mar 20	13:00	COVID-19 Update	CAO Don MacLeod provides daily update regarding COVID-19. View full details here.
Mar 19	13:00	COVID-19 Update	CAO Don MacLeod provides daily update regarding COVID-19. View full details here.
Mar 18	13:00	COVID-19 Update	CAO Don MacLeod provides daily update regarding COVID-19. View full details here.
Mar 17	13:30	Zorra divides staff into two shifts.	The Township is dividing its workforce into two groups that will work on alternating days. News release with full details is available here.
Mar 16	12:45	Mayor's Video	Mayor Ryan addresses decision to close office & facilities. Posted on social media.
Mar 16	12:30	Zorra closes offices and facilities to public	Zorra Senior Management Team, Mayor, Deputy Mayor had conference call with SW Public Health this morning. Decided to close office and facilities to the public until further notice. News Release available here.
Mar 15	17:06	Getting your Workplace Ready	SW Public Health released information for non-health care workplaces. Click here to view the document. Also shared on our social media pages.
Mar 15	16:10	All Recreation Programming Cancelled	All recreation programming cancelled, including March Break Camp. Visit our newsroom for details.
Mar 15	12:00	CAO Update	News update from CAO regarding COVID-19. At this time facilities and programs will continue as planned, following recommendations from SW Public Health.
Mar 14	15:36	Mayor's Video	Mayor update video posted on social media.
Mar 13	22:15	Thamesford Arena Closing	Social Media post advising ice coming out at Thamesford Arena March 16 due to Hockey Canada cancellation announcement.

COVID-19 Basics

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that circulate both in humans and animals. Human coronaviruses are common and may be associated with mild illness, like the common cold and more severe illnesses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Coronaviruses spread through droplets from an infected person who coughs or sneezes. Through these virus-laden droplets, it can spread to people who you spend a lot of time with (close contacts) such as household members – like how the flu and other respiratory illnesses spread. It can also live on surfaces and infect a person who touches that surface and then touches their eyes, mouth or nose. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and fatigue. Complications can include serious conditions like pneumonia or kidney failure, and death.

80% of individuals have a mild illness.

For more information:

Vist the links below for more information regarding the Coronavirus.