While we do our best to share updates in our community, the best places to go for updates are the sources of our information such as Ottawa Public Health, the Province and the City of Ottawa. Any info that we publish will likely be outdated soon, so check as much as you can with the sources instead. Do go outside when you are healthy, but stay 6 feet (two arms lengths) away from each other.
The message remains the same though: we will have more cases, but we must try to spread those cases out over time so that the health care system can handle it. In order to save our health care workers, we need to make sure the virus spreads as slowly as possible (or preferably not at all obviously). We can do that by maintaining our distance, wash our hands, stay home if you have a cough or a sneeze, and making sure to touch as few surfaces as possible. Have you also noticed now how often you actually touch your mouth, eyes and face? Have you been trying to suppress that itch in your eyes and it is really hard to do that? Did you all of a sudden notice that you have your hand around your mouth once again, even though you try not too? You are not alone, but the positive side is that you are now actually aware of it….
Ottawa Public Health on Twitter
Ottawa Public Health on Facebook
Nepean Neighbours
Councillor Egli would like to share the following information for the volunteer group “Nepean Neighbours”.
Their services include grocery pick-up and drop-off, prescription/pharmacy supplies pick-up and drop-off, dog walking and pet supply pick-up/inquiries.
Individuals can fill out a quick “Service Request Form” letting them know how to best support them at the following link: https://airtable.com/shrvf9b0dXVSI4Wne or by phone at 613-212-0054. They can also be reached by email at nepean.neighbours@gmail.com.
Vehicle Access to Greenbelt Temporarily Closed
Like many organizations, the National Capital Commission (NCC) is doing its part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
With that objective, we are temporarily closing vehicle access to the Greenbelt as of 9 pm on Friday, March 27, 2020, until further notice. All parking lots at trailheads and off-leash dog parks will be closed.
This is consistent with the decision made on March 23 to temporarily close Gatineau Park, and end its winter recreation season.
We recognize that this decision will affect residents’ enjoyment of the Greenbelt, but we must make every effort to protect employees, contractors and trail users from COVID-19, and ensure compliance with public health directives from all levels of government, particularly the call to avoid all non-essential trips.
We encourage everyone to enjoy the outdoors close to home — on foot or by bike — rather than driving to a destination further from home. Trail users arriving in a vehicle will be unable to park in the trail head parking lots or on adjacent roadways. Local authorities will enforce these parking prohibitions.
Accordingly, people who live near a trailhead or a dog park and can access it locally may still do so, provided they respect public health recommendations, including physical distancing.
Early Reopening of Multi-Use Pathways
The NCC is striving to facilitate National Capital Region residents’ safe access to the outdoors closer to their homes.
We are now working at progressively reopening NCC multi-use pathways as quickly as possible, relying on heavy machinery to clear ice and snow, along with the help of Mother Nature. Please check our social media feeds for updates regarding pathway openings.
At this time, we are currently not considering roadway closures of either the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway or the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway to vehicle traffic due to logistical challenges, staffing requirements and the need to ensure continued access for transit and emergency services.
Subject to, and consistent with, ongoing advice from public health agencies, and in consultation with partner municipalities, the NCC will reassess options for road closures, including Sunday Bikedays, as the situation allows.
