IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ramara Reminds Residents to Use Online Services

Ramara/November 19, 2020 –The Township of Ramara encourages residents to use the Township's online services and contact staff prior to coming into the office.

On August 4th, the Township launched its new, interactive website that is easy to use and responsive with any device. Residents can subscribe to get email notifications to news and notices, alerts and changes to pages to stay up to date on information. The new website also includes the ability to use many of our online services such as reporting a concern, booking an appointment or viewing interactive mapping and live Council meetings. Residents can find a list of the Township's online services at www.ramara.ca/onlineservices/.

"As our COVID-19 cases have been increasing daily, the health and well being of the community and staff is of upmost importance," reports Mayor, Basil Clarke. "We want to remind residents that we are in this together and to continue to follow all COVID-19 protocols: washing your hands often, practicing physical distancing, wearing your mask in public spaces, and staying home when sick."

Other than using online services, residents are also able to contact staff Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by phone or email. Residents are asked to leave a message and staff will get back to residents within 24 hours unless otherwise noted. For a list of staff contacts, please visit www.ramara.ca/contactus/.If you require an appointment with a staff member, please remember to book an appointment through our Book An Appointment page at www.ramara.ca/ramarareopens/.

As well, in order to keep residents up to date on Council decisions, all Council and Committee meetings are streamed live on the Township's YouTube channel. If you don't have time to watch the entire meeting, read our Council Highlights that gives an overview on the decisions that are made at each Committee of the whole or Council meeting. Council Highlights can be found on the Council page on the Township's website at www.ramara.ca.

CAO, John Pinsent advised, "The Township of Ramara is dedicated to providing the same level of services residents have come to expect, whether staff are working from home or in the office. The Township will continue to make decisions that are in the best interest of residents and employees and will communicate any changes to municipal facilities or level of service in a timely manner."

The Township wants to remind the community that we all have a role in reducing the spread of COVID-19 that goes beyond following provincial restrictions. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit advises everyone to keep safe and to do the following:

• Limiting your close contacts to people within your household other than those living alone, who may consider having a close contact with another household.
• Thinking carefully about how often you go out and what is essential.
• Screening children for symptoms of COVID-19 before they leave for school and keeping them home if sick.
• Screening before going to work for symptoms and staying home if sick.
• Washing your hands often.
• Wearing a face covering in all indoor public spaces.

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The Township of Ramara is working diligently to keep residents informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on how services are impacted, please visit www.ramara.ca/covid-19.