COVID-19 : Gatineau and its partners introduce a number of preventive measures
Gatineau, March 13,2020. – Ville de Gatineau, CISSS de l'Outaouais and the STO are introducing a number of measures to help minimize the COVID-19-related risks to public health and safety.
Quick facts - Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais (CISSSO) ● | There are still no reported cases in the Outaouais at this time. However, we are still awaiting a few screening results. |
● | Anyone with symptoms, particularly if they have been travelling, should call 1-877-644-4545. Given the growing number of screenings being requested, the CISSS de l'Outaouais will have a designated clinic starting tomorrow. That clinic will be exclusively for referred clients. People who have not been previously assessed will not be screened. |
● | Additional resources have been deployed to handle the higher call volumes. |
● | CISSS de l'Outaouais asks everyone to limit their visits to its facilities as much as possible, particularly the CHSLD and hospitals. |
Quick facts - Ville de Gatineau ● | Gatineau is rallying around the recommendations issued by the Government of Quebec. |
● | As well, all municipal measures will be adapted as the situation evolves. |
● | For the past few weeks, Gatineau has been updating its protocol for pandemics in order to introduce the appropriate measures. |
● | Municipal crews have started deploying a number of measures to ensure the continuity of services to the public. |
● | In order to reduce the risk to the public, Gatineau will immediately introduce several measures. These will be in effect until further notice. |
● | All of the following public activities are cancelled under further notice: - municipal events and gatherings of more than 250 people; - public consultations scheduled in the near future; - aquatic program activities; - shows in salle Jean-Despréz, cabaret La Basoche, Théâtre de l'Île and Espace René-Provost; - activities offered by Gatineau and its partners in municipal establishments and schools; and - registrations for culture and recreation programs planned for next week.
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● | The following locations will be closed until further notice: - the centre sportif; - the Lucien-Houle and Paul-Pelletier aquatic centres; - the arenas; - the libraries; - the community centres; - performance halls: Galerie Montcalm, Espace Pierre-Debain, Centre culturel du Vieux-Aylmer, salle Jean-Despréz, cabaret La Basoche, Théâtre de l'Île and Espace René-Provost; - pavillon Hélène-Larochelle at parc du Lac-Beauchamp; and - the Lac-Leamy outdoor centre.
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● | The following locations will remain open, and the following activities will continue until further notice: - the March 17, 2020 Municipal Council session will take place and certain modalities will shortly be announced; - the non-emergency call centre (311); - the service centres; - Maison du citoyen; - the waste transfer centre; - the ecocentres; - the municipal Court; and - garbage collection.
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● | A notice about prevention measures to be adopted is in place in municipal buildings that are remaining open. |
● | In Quebec, Santé publique coordinates all health-related actions. |
● | Get the latest updates through gatineau.ca/covid19. Gatineau will provide regular updates on the situation. |
Measures covering municipal staff ● | A contingency plan is in place to maintain essential services to the public. |
● | A directive on COVID-19 has been developed to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus in the workplace. The aim is to maintain a healthy and safe workplace, as well as municipal operations and services to the public. For example: - if an employee or someone he or she is close to and lives with has received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, that employee must remain in isolation for 14 days; - every employee returning from a trip as of March 12, 2020 will automatically go into isolation for 14 days; and - telework will be encouraged whenever possible.
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Quick facts - Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) ● | A crisis unit has been set up at the STO to closely monitor the situation through government directives. An intervention plan has been set up, and the STO is ready to deploy any measures recommended by the public health authorities. |
● | The STO reminds all public transit users to support the prevention measures by following standard hygiene practices recommended by the public health authorities. |
● | Inasmuch as possible the STO will maintain is regular and paratransit services. |
● | As a precaution, the STO has increased the frequency with which the insides of buses are cleaned. Additional resources will be allocated to the daily cleaning of all points of contact (validators, fare collection boxes, support bars, seat backs, driver area, etc.) The instructions for cleaning the insides of vehicles have been issued and will be implemented by our paratransit service providers. |
Quotes
“At this point, the situation calls for a collective effort and individual responsibility in order to slow the spread of the virus. Given that we are dealing with an exceptional situation, all employees are on call. The public is concerned, and I want them to know that the entire health system in the Outaouais is ready and mobilized,” affirmed CISSS de l'Outaouais President and CEO Josée Filion. “Municipal actions are focused on slowing and limiting the spread of the virus, ensuring the delivery of essential municipal services and supporting the public health authorities. We ask everyone to help one another out and to follow instructions. Your cooperation is essential,” declared Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin. “The STO quickly acted on the recommendations issued by the Government of Quebec because our main concern is the health and safety of our users and our employees. Our crisis unit is closely monitoring the situation as it evolves, and we are deploying an intervention plan to maintain, inasmuch as possible, the quality of our public transit service,” indicated STO President Myriam Nadeau. Associated link
Government of Quebec
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