Title
PRESENTATION BY M. PROWSE, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER CONCERNING A COVID-19 UPDATE
Mayor Lehman advised that M. Prowse, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will be providing a presentation concerning an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Lehman provided a brief introduction to the presentation, and he advised that COVID-19 is not a short term event and is an unusual type of emergency that will be with us for possibly weeks or months. Mayor Lehman discussed the CAO’s delegated authority that exists under normal circumstances and then once the emergency was declared.
Mr. Prowse discussed the context of the Emergency Operations Control Group. He advised that the group consists of the City’s Executive Management Team (EMT) and representation from the Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES), the Barrie Police Service (BPS), the Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit (SMDHU), and he hoped to soon add the Royal Victoria Health Centre (RVH) so that they may share information with group. Mr. Prowse advised that the Group meets regularly, sometimes several times a day as required with the goal of responding to the current emergency and to make decisions in the best interest of the City.
Mr. Prowse discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• An overview on the current status of the City’s Emergency Operations Control Group, the emergency declaration, the confirmed numbers and status of COVID-19 cases, the evidence of community transmission and importance of physical distancing;
• The daily updates and medical advice provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) and the Royal Victoria Health Centre (RVH);
• A summary of Barrie Police Service (BPS) COVID-19 Response associated with the BPS Operations Centre, staffing, objectives, goals and daily briefing cycle updates;
• A summary of the Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES) execution of the City’s Pandemic Plan initiated on March 9th, 2020, the essential services being maintained, staffing levels, implementation of screening protocols, and contingency planning;
• The status of staffing levels and operations of City Departments;
• A summary of the service deliveries keeping the City’s development moving forward;
• The temporary changes the City has put in place to help Barrie residents with the financial burdens during the COVID-19 Pandemic;
• Communications from Mayor Lehman as the Chief Spokesperson during an emergency to deliver key messages to the public;
• The key messages developed to stop the spread of COVID-19:
• Stay home;
• Physical distancing of 2 metres / 6 feet;
• Washing your hands more frequently; and
• Self-isolation for 14 days if symptoms, travel or contact of confirmed case.
• The increases in social media followers by 502%; and
• A garbage collection assistance program to deal with waste collection to residents, and to control the level.
Members of Council asked a number of questions to City staff and received responses.