Immediate Release

Ramara/December 17, 2021 - With the steady increase of COVID-19 cases and the concerning spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the Township of Ramara is closing all Township facilities effective Monday, December 20, 2021.

In recognizing the rise in cases and the fast spread of the Omicron variant, the Township is implementing decisions that protect the health and safety of staff and the community.

"Given the recent increase in cases to those vaccinated or not vaccinated, closing all Township buildings and facilities is the right step at this time to protect the health and safety of our staff and the community," advises Mayor Clarke. "This decision was not easy, and I am committed to ensuring that we open our doors once again to the public when it is safe to do so. As we move closer to the holidays, Council and I want to wish everyone in the community a safe and happy holiday."

The following closures and service impacts will occur as of Monday, December 20, 2021:

• Closure of ALL Township Buildings and facilities to the public. This includes the following buildings:
• Township Administration Building
• Ramara Centre
• Mara Medical Centre (Only impacts the Ramara Township Public Library not the Medical Clinic)
• All Fire Halls
• All Works buildings
• Cancellation of all programming and camps at the Ramara Centre including the Winter Camp scheduled for December 20-23. Full refunds will be issued.
• Ramara Township Public Library will be closed to the public but will offer curbside service and virtual programming.
• All planning, infrastructure and building applications will be accepted electronically.
• All building inspections will take place as scheduled.
• Locally, our By-law Enforcement Team will be responding to complaints as well as actively enforcing all the applicable regulations throughout the Township.

During the closure, staff will be available to residents by phone and email Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residents are asked to leave a message, and staff will respond within 48 hours, or as otherwise noted. Residents can also use our online services available at www.ramara.ca/onlineservices.

The Township of Ramara wants to remind the community that staff will be unavailable from noon on December 24 to January 3, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. The Township will continue to work diligently to keep residents informed about service impacts. Residents can find up-to-date information on impacts at www.ramara.ca/covid-19.  For health-related information, please go to www.SMDHU.org, or call the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit directly

-30-

Media Contacts

Ashley Watson

Manager of Communications, Business and Community Engagement

Township of Ramara

705-484-5374 ext. 322

awatson@ramara.ca