SARAH WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Following on the heels of the many COVID-19 restrictions being lifted in the province, this municipality has announced the state of emergency, declared in March 2020, would now be lifted.

“The emergency declaration is no longer warranted as we continue to re-open and move into the recovery phase of this global pandemic,” Mayor Ferguson says. “The virus is still out there, but thanks to vaccines, we can protect ourselves from the worst of COVID-19. I encourage residents to get their doses of the COVID-19 vaccine if they have not done so already and continue to follow the masking requirements,” stated Prince Edward County Mayor, Steve Ferguson.

The masking requirements will be re-evaluated once the provincial mask-mandate is lifted. The provincial mask mandate is anticipated to be lifted in the next few weeks. Until then, masks continue to be required in all indoor settings. The County will continue to enforce the mask mandate in municipally run facilities, which include arenas and town halls.

As always, those with religious or medical exemptions must provide proof.

With the March 1^st lifting of public health measures to help stop the spread of covid, the municipality has “aligned its services with the provincial changes while taking steps where appropriate to ensure the health and safety of the public” as per a recent press release.

While capacity limits and vaccine requirements for indoor settings have been lifted, steps to protect public health that will be maintained by the municipality include a vaccination policy for council members, municipal staff and volunteer firefighters as well as enhanced cleaning of dressing rooms at the Wellington and Picton arenas.

In-person attendance at Council, Committee of the Whole, and Planning Committee meetings will resume in April. Meetings will take place at the Highline Hall at the Wellington and District Community Centre beginning with the Council meeting on Tuesday, April 5.

“Over the past two years, Prince Edward County residents have sacrificed in order to safeguard their family and friends and to ensure the health-care resources in our community were not overwhelmed,” Mayor Ferguson said. “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has followed the public health guidelines.”

Surrounding areas, such as Hastings County, the City of Quinte West, the Town of Greater Napanee and Tyendinaga Township have simultaneously terminated their declarations as partners in the provision of critical care services across the region.