Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Municipality of McDougall continues to work closely with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, West Parry Sound Area Municipalities, and community partners to monitor the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and respond appropriately.

We continue to follow the guidance of our local experts in Public Health. The situation is evolving and we are taking steps to help protect the health of our community.

The municipality is making every effort to maintain current levels of service, precautionary measures have been put in place to protect the community and municipal staff, and to reduce the spread of the virus.

Visit the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit website for information about the disease including, how to protect yourself, symptoms, treatment, and updates as they become available.

For up to date information regarding the virus in Ontario visit the Ontario Ministry of Health website. For up to date information regarding the virus in Canada visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website.  

As additional information becomes available, communications will be made with regards to the West Parry Sound Area (Township of Carling, Municipality of McDougall, Township of McKellar, Seguin Township, Township of The Archipelago, Municipality of Whitestone and the Town of Parry Sound) through the Town of Parry Sound website and social media accounts. www.parrysound.ca , www.facebook.com/townofparrysound, twitter.com/townparrysound

At the March 18, 2020 regular meeting of Council the Municipality of McDougall’s Mayor Dale Robinson declared an emergency in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, 1990 as a result of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic in Ontario. The declaration is a precaution taken by the Municipality in order to provide the Head of Council the authority to take actions or make orders to protect the property, health, safety and welfare of the community. This declaration also aligns with the Government of Ontario's Declaration of Emergency made March 17, 2020.

The Municipality of McDougall will continue to monitor the situation; residents can visit www.mcdougall.ca for up-to-date information about COVID-19 impacts on municipal operations and services. Updates about the current COVID-19 pandemic can be found by accessing the following resources:

Media Contact:  Lori West, Public Information Officer/Clerk 705-342-5252 

CEMC Contact: Brian Leduc, CEMC / Fire Chief 705-746-1857   

Updated July 6, 2020

The Municipal Office: The office re-opens to the public July 7, 2020. Contact-free service options are available on our website. Additional safety measures will be in place including physical distancing, sanitation products and protective barriers. The opening will allow for in-person assistance with services however residents are encouraged to continue accessing municipal services through contact-less means such as e-services on the website, email and phone wherever possible.

Individuals who would like to pay their municipal bills can do so online through your financial institution, send a cheque by mail, use the municipal office drop box, or online. 

Credit card payments for taxes or utility bills can only be paid online using Pay Simply at www.paysimply.ca, credit card payments will not be accepted in the Municipal Office as of July 7th, 2020. Your roll number is required to complete tax payments, and can be found on your tax bill (begin with the number 4931). You must enter all 19 digits, without the decimal for the system to accept your account number.

For utility payments with a credit card online your account number is located on your utility bill.   

Building Permits & Landfill payments will only be accepted by cheque, cash or debit at this time in office. 

For more information please call the Municipal Office 705-342-5252 

Building Department:  As part of the first stage of the Ontario government's reopening framework building permits will be issued. Inspections will be conducted at the discretion of the Chief Building Official. COVID-19 safety protocols will be required. For more information, please contact the building department 705-342-5252.

Transfer Station and Landfill: Transfer station Days of operation will remain the same with the attendant only leaving the building to operate compactors. Bottle drive will be closed until further notice.

Landfill operations will operate under regular hours. COVID-19 protocols and safety measures are in place

 Please visit the facilities and hourspage for more information.

Public Works: Operations have resumed, COVID-19 protocols and safety measures are in place. 

Environmental Services (Water/Waste Water): Operations have resumed. COVID-19 protocols and safety measures are in place.

Fire Department: Fire Halls are not open to the general public, operations will continue as usual. Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency, if you need immediate medical attention you should call 911 and mention your travel history and symptoms.

If you require a fire permit (when fire rating permits), please contact the Fire Chief at 705-746-9227 or bleduc@mcdougall.ca as permits will be issued on the phone and through email. 

Parks and Recreation: All park amenities (playground equipment) will be closed until further notice. Parks and beaches are open, regular washroom facilities are provided, use at your own risk.

 Municipal Boat Launches: 

George Hunt Boat Launch, Access and Parking is permitted for McDougall Residents only. A valid municipal permit is required and must be displayed on the vehicle.

All other boat launch and water access Regular operations apply. Overnight parking, where permitted for those with an valid Municipal Permit only.

McDougall Water Tap: The water filling station at the public works yard/transfer station on Municipal Drive is use at your own risk.

An information package has been developed by the West Parry Sound Health Centre, this easy to print information package will provide information about COVID-19 in our community. Know someone with no internet access? Packages are available for those without internet at the municipal transfer station, or please feel free to print a package for them. 
Homemade Community Cares Masks are now available for pick-up at the Mask Depot – 92 James Street, Parry Sound.

Current Hours – Monday – Wednesday 9am – 12pm
(Special Hours - Closed July 1st, open July 2nd)

Donations to the Hospital Auxiliary are being accepted, but not mandatory.
Wearing a non-medical mask or cloth face covering when you are out in public or when keeping a physical distance of 2 metres / 6 feet is not possible is an additional measure you can take to help protect those around you, even if you have no symptoms. 
Mask Depot
The Parry Sound Rotary Club is running a grocery delivery and pick-up service in partnership with Sobeys. This program aims to support vulnerable citizens, those in self-isolation or people otherwise unable to complete their own shopping due to COVID-19.  Many community members accessing this program are able to pay for their groceries and the delivery fee. However for those in need of assistance due to COVID-19, the Rotary Club is looking for food and financial donations to support their grocery requests.  

Food donations can also be made at Sobeys or donations can be made through the clubs website: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/217 

A new website has been launched to connect people in the West Parry Sound area in need of a grocery drop off with local volunteers. This is being run in conjunction with the Sobeys and the Rotary Club program.

If you, or someone you know, are in need of a grocery drop off, you can now easily fill in a request form at www.parrysound.ca/help and you will be connected with volunteers to shop and deliver the groceries and supplies to your doorstep.

If you would like to assist with shopping and deliveries, the website also has a place for you to sign up to volunteer or to donate. 

For the most up to date information about Coronavirus COVID-19 in our community, visit www.myhealthunit.ca

The WPSHC has an immediate need for Scrubs, Lab Coats and N95 Respirators. 

West Parry Sound Health Centre (WPSHC) is asking community members to donate any ‘scrubs’ or lab coats they might have at home.

Under normal circumstances, the health centre would have capacity to supply all appropriate staff with hospital-issued scrubs, but there are currently not enough to go around, and these items are on back-order.

All donated scrubs will be laundered and made available to clinical staff, separate from the health centre’s ‘usual’ supply to decrease the chance of people taking the virus out of the health centre.

The WPSHC is also in need of N95 respirators, if you have extras (expired is ok) donations would be appreciated. 

Anyone with scrubs, lab coats or N95 respirators to donate can drop them off the following locations:

Parry Sound – Fire Hall, 4 Church Street Parry Sound, please leave in a sealed bag outside the front doors

Carling – Carling Rink, 2 West Carling Bay Road, Nobel, please leave in bin

McDougall – Fire Station 1, 10 Municipal Drive Nobel, please leave in blue bin at front door

McKellar – Fire Station 1, 1 Sharon Park Dr. McKellar, please leave in a sealed bag under the covered entrance.

Seguin – Humphrey Fire Station, 115 Highway 141

Whitestone – Fire Hall, 21 Church Street Dunchurch, please ring doorbell and leave in sealed bag outside the side door.

Nursing Stations – Please phone ahead and arrange for drop off, the nursing stations are not accepting any walkins due to COVID-19.

Pointe Au Baril – (705) 366-2376

Argyle – (705) 757-1717

Britt – (705) 383-2375

Moose Deer Point – (705) 375-9900

Rosseau – (705) 732-1095

Whitestone – Drop off at the fire hall


 

Student Nutrition Ontario is offering assistance to children, youth and their families to ensure the needs of our community are met during this difficult and uncertain times as schools are closed, and children and youth are still hungry. 

Families who wish to receive support are asked to register by emailing, names, address, phone number(s), number of children and the school the children regularly attend to studentnutrition@communitylivingnorthbay.org or by phone at 705-476-3288 ext. 1611

The need for assistance from the local food banks is currently higher than normal. If you are able to donate, food and financial donations are needed. 

Harvest Share - 93 James Street, Parry Sound - (705) 774-9111
Food donations can be made at the side door. Financial donations, please reach out to Harvest Share directly as no walk-ins are currently being accepted. 

Salvation Army Food Bank - 61 Gibson Street, Parry Sound - (705) 746-5391

Donation bins are also available at some local grocery stores.