Posted January 12, 2021
Today, the Ontario government declared a second provincial emergency along with additional restrictions, effective immediately for at least 28 days. This comes as the number of COVID-19 cases has doubled in the past two weeks, severely threatening the capacity of the healthcare system.
New measures include:
• Stay-at-home order as of Thursday, January 14 at 12:01 am (aside from essential purposes e.g., groceries, medical appointments)
• Extended school closures in hotspots until February 10, with emergency childcare available for eligible families
• Outdoor gatherings limited to five people, with limited exceptions
• Mandatory masks in all indoor spaces and strongly recommended outdoors
• Non-essential stores limited to operation between 7 am and 8 pm
• Non-essential construction further restricted
• Increased inspection and enforcement measures, including in workplaces
What does this mean at HNHC and for our residents?
- Our office will continue to be closed to the public. Residents are encouraged to use our website to submit maintenance requests and other communications or to email us at hnhc@hnhousing.ca
- With the additional restrictions, we are limiting the number of staff working at our office. Some staff will be rotating work schedules or working from home. Residents calling in are asked to leave a message on the extension of the staff member they are trying to reach; staff working from home will be checking their mailbox frequently and will call you back, we thank you in advance for your patience.
- During the state of emergency maintenance repairs will be limited to emergencies and life safety. Please submit your maintenance requests, but please understand that non-essential repairs will be held until the restrictions are lifted. You can submit your maintenance requests here, or by emailing maint@hnhousing.ca
- Common rooms at our buildings will remain closed for your safety. When leaving your apartment, please wear a mask, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently and do not congregate in the hallways or outside. These measures are important and could save your life or the life of your neighbour.
As part of the Safe Restart Agreement, the federal government is funding a temporary income support program that allows workers to take up to 10 days of leave related to COVID-19. Find more information about federal supports, including Employment Insurance, Canada Recovery Benefit, Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit.
With the impacts of social isolation on mental health and well-being, residents are encouraged to visit the province’s COVID-19: Support for People website which has information about many free mental health services and supports.
We ask that all our residents take these restrictions and precautions seriously!
If you have any questions, please email your Property Manager:
Tricia Feist – tfeist@hnhousing.ca
Todd Smith – toddsmith@hnhousing.ca
Please stay safe and stay healthy!
