COVID-19 Resources & Community Updates

In an effort to support the safety and well-being of everyone in our community, we are gathering resources and community updates about COVID-19. We will work to keep this information updated as the situation changes.

Please note that our main office will be temporarily closed to the public until our health officials and governments consider it safe to reopen. Until then, we will continue to support individuals and families as an essential service.. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary. If you have questions regarding our closure, please contact clh@clhuntsville.ca for more information.

Click on the menu items below to be directed to the information you need:

Community Updates
Accessible Resources
Mental Health Resources
Information by Government of Canada
Resources for Children

Community Updates

Food and Medication Pick-ups

Municipal Services

Huntsville Town Buildings and Services

All Town owned municipal facilities including Town Hall are closed to help mitigate the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Town closures include:

Canada Summit Centre
Active Living Centre
Algonquin Theatre Box Office
Huntsville Public Library
Club 55
Muskoka Heritage Place
All community halls

For up-to-date information about municipal services, facilities, media releases, Mayoral updates and more visit huntsville.ca/covid19.

The Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinic will remain open 8:30am-4:30pm at the Wellness Hub, Canada Summit Centre. Patients must call 705-789-5986 for access to the building and to make an appointment. Access will be by Canada Summit Centre entrance closest to Oliver’s Café. Anyone who is COVID-19 symptomatic must call Tele Health Ontario at +1 866-797-0000.

The Cottage Country Family Health Team will continue to operate at the Port Sydney Fire Hall.

Township of Lake of Bays

The Township of Lake of Bays will close their Municipal Office to the public until further notice.

Township services will continue to be offered online through the Township website, email and over the phone where possible. Should in-person visits be required, please contact the appropriate department. For full department and staff contact information visit the Contact Us page.

Public Works yards and Fire Halls will continue to operate with restricted access to the public.

All regular Council and Committee meetings have been cancelled until further notice as part of the Township’s COVID-19 response.

District of Muskoka

To help minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to help protect the public and staff, all District facilities will be closed to public access. This includes, but is not limited to:

Administrative Office at 70 Pine St. in Bracebridge
Community Services Hubs in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville

Essential services including paramedic services, long-term care, water and wastewater, waste management and road operations will continue to operate as usual to support our community. Social housing facilities will continue to be maintained and other housing supports, social assistance and emergency assistance programs will also continue to be provided by phone, online or by email.

You can access information by calling 705-645-2100 or by email.

For the latest updates on all District program and service impacts, and to learn more about the actions taken in response to COVID-19, visit www.muskoka.on.ca/coronavirus

Huntsville Public Transit

Town of Huntsville transit have made precautionary changes to service to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, while still providing public access to necessary destinations such as grocery stores, pharmacies and employment. Service changes include:

Regular and specialized riding hours are now 8am to 4pm
In order for appropriate social distancing to occur, only 6 riders shall be permitted on Huntsville Transit at any time. This may result in riders needing to be prepared to be flexible on boarding times.
Riders will not be required to pay fares or swipe their transit pass until end of April
Heightened sanitization of frequent touch points on the transit vehicles will continue.
Daily vehicle disinfection

As a reminder to riders, the Town asks the following safety procedures be considered:

If you feel unwell do not board Huntsville Transit or Huntsville mobility vehicles
Upon boarding, riders are asked to sanitize their hands utilizing the provided hand sanitizer or their own supply
Riders shall practice social distancing and attempt to spread themselves out while riding in an effort to protect themselves and the driver

The Town will continue to work closely with the service provider, Campbell Bus Lines Ltd., in regards to safety precautions and operations. While also following recommended best practices by Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit.

For frequently asked questions or to ask a question on Town Services during COVID-19 visit myhuntsville.ca.

Services and Businesses Currently Open

The Table Soup Kitchen

The Table Soup Kitchen will continue to accept donations of food (perishable and non-perishable) and toiletry items. Donations can be made during Food Bank hours: Tuesday and Friday from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, and Sat 10:00am to 1:00pm. Financial donations may be made at www.thetablefoundation.ca .

Guests who access our services are asked to be aware of physical distancing, bring their own containers/jars and/or boxes/bags, and not come in person if you are feeling any symptoms of illness. New guests always welcome! Please bring ID and Health Cards for family members (no other questions asked).

Soup Kitchen: Host churches are closed. Anyone needing a take out meal may bring a container/jar to the Community Kitchen at 11 Hanes St. between 5:00 and 6:30 pm Mondays and Thursdays.

Food Bank: The Table will continue to provide food and other needed items to anyone in need during regular hours (posted above). However, guests will not enter the building, but rather will have a volunteer shop for them. Same food limits will apply and food will be based on availability. Process will be communicated to guests. Please bring own bags/boxes.

Exchange Store: Closed during this time. Please hold onto all donations until the Table is operational again. Critical needs may be communicated to Food Bank Leader, however, during Food Bank hours.

Men’s Hostel: The Hostel will remain open until the end of April.

Community Kitchen: The Table’s trained and diligent volunteers will prepare take out meals for Soup Kitchen guests and assist with all aspects of food portioning and baking for Food Bank guests. Food Bank lunches will be on hold as they cannot be served in the Food Bank.

Food Rescue: All aspects of picking up food from grocery stores, restaurants, suppliers and elsewhere will continue as long as food is being offered. Food will continue to be brought to the Community Kitchen and Food Bank and shared with guests.

Bullock’s Your Independent Grocer

Bullock’s Independent Grocer in Huntsville will be opening their doors from 7:00am until 8:00am specifically for seniors over the age of 65 and for those who have compromised immune systems. They have chosen this time of day because their night cleaners will have come through and the store will be disinfected, fully stocked, and easy to shop.

The Great Vine

The Great Vine is providing an early morning shopping hour for the elderly and immunocompromised individuals from 9:00am-10:00am.

For delivery, call before 12:00pm for a delivery drop off in the afternoon. Will deliver in Huntsville and Port Sydney.

For pick up, call your order in at 705-789-3737 and they will have it ready when you arrive. The store can process credit cards over the phone.

Shoppers Drug Mart Huntsville

Shoppers Drug Mart Huntsville will be increasing their delivery schedule. For your safety and the safety of their staff, please consider not coming in to the store to pick up your prescriptions. Please call the store at (705) 789-4471 to be added to the delivery schedule. The staff can add any other products you may need to purchase to your order. Your order will be hung on your door handle to maintain social distancing.

Accessible Resources

COVID-19 Plain Language Guide by People First Canada

COVID-19 Plain Language & Visual Guide by Community Living Huntsville

State of Emergency Plain Language Guide by Community Living Huntsville

Picture Story to Understand COVID-19

Beyond Words created “Beating the Virus”, a picture story that helps have conversations with people with developmental disabilities about the virus, talk about their fears and reassure them. This resource is free download and we encourage you to share it with anyone who may find it helpful: CLICK HERE.

Where to Get COVID-19 Information by Community Living Huntsville

Social Distancing Plain Language Guide by Community Living Huntsville

Disability Accommodations and Supports to Help Everyone Prevent COVID-19

Standard infection prevention advice is often difficult or impossible to follow for people living with disabilities. This article shares accommodations and supports can help. CLICK HERE

Resource Booklet: Self-Isolation Activities

This resource booklet was created by the North East Passport Network. There’s a wealth of information from support resources to sensory activities to help make these days a little easier.

Download booklet here: Resource Booklet

How to Make Virtual Meetings and Events Accessible to the Disability Community

Rooted in Rights created a detailed guide of how to make virtual meetings more accessible, from the planning process to the online presentation. CLICK HERE

Mental Health Resources

Coping with Stress and Anxiety

The Canadian Association for Mental Health has tips and coping strategies to help support you during this difficult time: CLICK HERE.

Information by Government of Canada

On March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada announced it will be assisting individuals and businesses as part of its COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. The plan offers support for people who:

are facing unemployment
are sick or quarantined
are unable to to work
have low and modest income
are seniors
are students or recent graduates

To learn more about the Government of Canada’s supports, CLICK HERE.