COVID-19 Information

Township of Southgate Emergency Declaration FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On March 27, 2020 at 11:30 AM Township of Southgate Mayor John Woodbury declared a municipal wide state of emergency in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This declaration aligns with the Government of Ontario's Declaration of Emergency made March 17, 2020.

This declaration is a precaution being taken by the Township in order to access additional Provincial and Federal resources and funding to help control the spread of the virus should the need arise.
Declaring an emergency authorizes the Municipality to take action or make orders, which are not contrary to law, in order to protect the residents in our community.

This declaration is NOT to further instill fear and panic in our residents, and you are not required to take any further action or response as a result of this declaration. Please continue to practice safe social distancing and self-isolation as per Public Health’s directives.

For up-to-date information on the impacts and for updates related to COVID-19 in our community, please visit https://www.southgate.ca/en/local-government/covid-19-information.aspx and follow the Township of Southgate on Facebook or call our office at 519-923-2110.

The Township of Southgate’s top priority is the health and safety of our residents. The Township of Southgate Mayor John Woodbury as part of emergency response, wants to ensure we communicate with our entire community in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. We have local communications during the COVID-19 Provincial and Southgate Declared Emergency that will support you and our community with medical help, health information support and municipal answers to protect the residents in our community.

Administration and Municipal Services
The Township of Southgate’s staff are still available during regular office hours of Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm. The best way to reach us is to leave a voicemail or email and we will respond back to you. Our call volumes are high which could result in a busy signal, please be patient and continue to try calling. We continue to deliver our administrative and essential municipal services while we protect our staff to ensure business continuity.

Community Discussion & Q&A Session
In order to keep close contact with our community members, our Mayor and Southgate staff are offering a Conference Call Question and Answer session after each council meeting where members of the community can call in and discuss concerns with the COVID-19 situation within the community and ask questions they have at this time. This call is meant as an additional tool for people that need more information or have concerns specifically related to the COVID-19 situation. To access the Council Meeting and/or the Southgate Q & A session you call 1-647-497-9373 and enter the access number 990-730-221.
If your concerns are operational related to a our municipal services please call 519-923-2110 or 1-888-560-6607 and extension 232 to be directed to the right person or email us at info@southgate.ca.

Health and Information Resources
If you have actual Health issues with questions that need medical answers or want to seek primary care you should call South East Grey Community Health Centre at 519-986-2222 for attention or your Doctor’s office.
If you have questions specifically about COVID-19 information, screening, symptoms, social distancing or a recent contact with an infected person, you should call the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 and the COVID-19 extension number is 3000. Another good option is Telehealth Ontario by calling 1-866-797-0000.
For up-to-date information on the impacts and for updates related to COVID-19 in our community, please visit https://www.southgate.ca/en/local-government/covid-19-information.aspx , follow the Township of Southgate on Facebook or call our office 519-923-2110.

To main social distancing and to help minimize the spread of this virus ALL Township of Southgate facilities including the Administration Offices will be CLOSED to the public for the next 30 days. Staff are working remotely to help ensure everyone's safety. But don't worry, we are still here for you! Call or email us and we will get back to you in a timely manner. If you are calling, please note that our phone system may be experiencing higher than normal volumes. Please be patient if you can't get through. Either leave us a message or give us a call back. Click here for our staff directory. 

Council and Committee Meetings - All Council and Committee meetings have been cancelled effective immediately until further notice to ensure the health and safety of our staff, Councillors and members of the public.  We will advise when Council and Committee meetings will resume.

Tender Submissions - The Township will accept tender submissions in the drop box at the Municipal Administration Office at 185667 Grey County Road 9, Dundalk. If your tender is being delivered by Courier, please instruct them to leave the envelope or parcel in the drop box.  Tenders will be held for a period of 24 hours prior to being opened. To view the current Tenders and RFPS, click here.

Tax Sales - Please note that the tax sales scheduled for April 2, 2020 have been CANCELLED.

The following facilities are CLOSED to the public:

- Municipal Administration Office 185667 Grey County Road 9, Dundalk ON
- All Arenas, Facilities and Halls
- Southgate Ruth Hargrave Memorial Library

*Please note that ALL Facility rentals are cancelled effective immediately and refunds will be issued to those affected.

Reuse Centres - Please note that the Dundalk & Egremont Transfer Stations have closed the REUSE CENTRES until further notice with the COVID-19 outbreak. The Tranfer Stations remain open at this time. For Orange Drop and oil/antifreeze disposal, please set items on the tables provided outside those locations. 

Public Works Department Reminder - Please do not flush anything down the toilet other than toilet paper. Other materials such as paper towels, Lysol wipes, baby wipes etc. can block your sewage piping and could result in you having to call in a plumber - at your expense. Other materials being flushed could also cause issues with the pumps at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Recreation Department Statement - The health and safety of our patrons – especially children – is a top priority for Southgate Parks. While social distancing is in effect, we believe the safest thing to do is avoid touching playground equipment. However, we also understand that outdoor play is important for children especially at times like this. So, if you take your kids to a playground, we recommend wiping down equipment with disinfectant wipes before and after use. Of course, you should also make sure kids clean their hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

Economic Development - The Township of Southgate is working closely with Grey County to better understand the economic impact that COVID-19 is having and will have on your business. If your business is affected, please take a few minutes to fill out this important survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GreyBusinessSurvey

Good Food Box - The Dundalk Good Food Box for March has been cancelled.

Account payments can be made to the Township through online or mobile banking or by credit card. There is a drop box available at the Municipal Administration Office (185667 Grey County Road 9, Dundalk) for payments and other necessary documents.

There will be no interruption to essential services related to roads, water/wastewater, or waste/recycling services.

• Grey Bruce Public Health Unit: https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/
• Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html
• Ontario Ministry of Health: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/
• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/

Assessment Centre Locations and Operating Hours
OWEN SOUND: Owen Sound Regional Hospital, Grey Bruce Health Services
Location: Portable facility just outside the entrance to the Owen Sound Hospital Emergency Department
Opening Date: Wednesday, March 18
Hours of Operation: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, 7 days per week

KINCARDINE: Kincardine Hospital, South Bruce Grey Health Centre
Location: Portable facility located between hospital and medical clinic
Opening Date: Thursday, March 19
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 7 days per week

HANOVER: Hanover & District Hospital
Location: Main entrance to the hospital
Opening Date: Thursday, March 19
Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday