Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates

Town buildings

• Town Hall - open - Customers encouraged to use cashless payments to prevent any close contact. Debit, Visa and MasterCard are accepted for most payments. Online forms and payments are available. Where possible please contact us by phone and email. Please wear a mask for entry to Town Hall.
• Muskoka Heritage Place - open - Please visit the admissions and reservations page for important booking details.
• Canada Summit Centre
  • Centennial Pool - open for registered programs, by appointment only. Visit the recreation and programs page for aquatics, skating and re-opening information. Customer Service desk is operating by phone and email.
  • Canada Summit Centre - Walking Track - open for pre-booked walking sessions. Visit the facilities page for details or to book.
• Active Living Centre - operating remotely by phone and email. 
• Algonquin Theatre Box Office and Partners Hall  - operating remotely by phone and email 
• Huntsville Fire Hall and Port Sydney Fire Hall -  operating remotely by phone and email ; emergency services still available 
• Huntsville Public Library - temporarily closed due to indoor air quality issues - read the press release issued July 5, 2020
  
• Madill Public Works Yard - closed until further notice

Amenities

Residents are asked to obey all posted signage in all locations, practice 2m physical distance, and use caution when accessing:

• Beaches - open
• Boat launches and locks - open. View locks hours of operation.
• Cemeteries - outdoor gatherings increased to maximum of 100
• Parks and trails - open - Equipment is not being sanitized at this time 
• Playground structures, benches, waste receptacles and park gates -  open - Equipment is not being sanitized at this time. If the play area is busy, please seek an alternate play structure or return at a later time.
• Public washrooms downtown - open

Contacts

You can do business with us over the phone or online. 

The following updates currently apply:

• Aquatic (outdoor) programs - visit huntsville.ca or call 705-789-6421 ext 3023 for updates.
• Recreation and youth programs, and events - Town recreation programs and events are not available
• Special Events - The status of special events will continue to be monitored from a health perspective and plans to postpone, cancel or apply mitigation strategies will be communicated to event organizers

Other

• Farmers markets – permitted, while following guidelines set by health officials.
• Garage/Yard Sales - permitted, while following guidelines set by health officials. Here are some tips from the local health unit about handling and exchanging second-hand goods

Stage 3 updates

Visit this ontario.ca web link, for the most current details on

• restrictions to business and public spaces
• places and activities not yet safe to open
• gathering limits 

Reminders

Please continue, to:

• Maintain physical distancing of 2 metres from anyone not in your household
• Indoor gathering limits are be reflective of the current order (see September 19th update on the Government of Ontario newsroom article). Gathering limits with those not in your household still require 2m physical distance. Social circles continue to be kept to maximum of 10 people - learn more on social circles
• Wash hands and high touch areas frequently
• Face masks or coverings are required in all public indoor spaces within Simcoe-Muskoka. For more info see SMDHU website. 
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or sleeve
• Monitor your health for symptoms and stay home if you feel ill

The Town will continue to evaluate impact on service and facilities during stage 3 implementation.

Provincial resource links

• Re-opening Ontario after COVID-19
• Re-opening safety guidelines and posters by sector
• Ontario Newsroom press releases
• Premier of Ontario YouTube Channel Premier Doug Ford provides live press conference updates

COVID-19 concerns

• To report a concern or violation related to COVID-19, contact 1-888-310-1122
• Suspected price gouging of essential goods, contact Ontario Consumer Protection Hotline 1-800-889-9768

Outdoor burning

To report outdoor burning:

• Emergencies 9-1-1 which include out-of-control burning
• After hours reporting, contact by-law at 705-789-6421 ext. 3039 or 3041
• Reporting during a ban, contact the Town of Huntsville By-law department

For current rating and information, visit our outdoor burning page.

Need family support?

COVIDwithKids provides a toolkit for coping with kids at home during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Need food and support?

The District of Muskoka is maintaining an ongoing list of community food and delivery programs available to area residents. Please select the "Town of Huntsville" menu item.

Want to help within the community?

• Faith Baptist Church - to offer assistance, please complete the support form or call 705-789-2492
• Salvation Army Huntsville - food or financial donations appreciated, call 705-789-3398
• SPARK Ontario - the province's first bilingual volunteer hub designed to direct volunteers to where they are needed most
• The Table Food Bank - financial, food rescue donations and/or volunteers for food growing gardening efforts
• United Way Simcoe Muskoka - to provide basic needs for local residents, visit website to donate or call 705-345-2751

Reconnect with Arts, Culture and Tourism

Ontario has created the new virtual hub Ontario Live to promote and support the Province's tourism and cultural industries 

• Town of Huntsville's financial/business support and recovery-COVID-19 page
• District of Muskoka's financial support and resources page
• Government of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

If you are showing any symptoms of COVID-19, you must go to an Assessment Centre instead of a pharmacy for testing. To get the latest information about if/where you should be tested, visit www.ontario.ca/covidtest

The District’s Muskoka Paramedic Services, Huntsville physicians and the Town of Huntsville have united together to offer a Huntsville COVID-19 Assessment Centre location for the public. Changes have been made to the assessment centre's operations.

The Huntsville COVID-19 Assessment Centre is booking same-day appointments in-person at the Active Living Centre.

• Location: Active Living Centre at 20 Park Drive (back of the Canada Summit Centre)
• Holiday Hours: The Huntsville Covid-19 Assessment Centre is closed Holiday Monday, October 12 and will reopen Wednesday, October 14 at 9:30am.
• Regular Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30am - 4:00pm 
• Bring: face mask, health card, and name of your doctor or nurse practitioner
• Notes: there are no inside washroom facilities for public use

Entry and who should attend

• Residents are asked to pre-screen themselves or loved ones prior to attending:
  • Adults must ensure they meet the criteria by visiting www.ontario.ca/covidtest 
  • Children need to complete the screening questions at ontario.ca/schoolscreening to ensure they meet the criteria for a test
  • Residents who do not meet the criteria outlined by the Ministry of Health, could be turned away
• Follow directional signage when you arrive at the Active Living Centre, and Medical Staff will ask you the screening questions and arrange your appointment
• Please keep a 2m distance from others
• Please do not bring other friends or family members unless they are being tested or you need assistance
  
  

For recommended best practices on COVID-19 visit the Simcoe-Muskoka Public Health Unit’s web page at simcoemuskokahealth.org.

If you are showing any symptoms of COVID-19, you must go to an Assessment Centre instead of a pharmacy for testing. To get the latest information about if/where you should be tested, visit www.ontario.ca/covidtest

• By appointment only
• Visit Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare website for contact hours, location and phone number

If you are showing any symptoms of COVID-19, you must go to an Assessment Centre instead of a pharmacy for testing. To get the latest information about if/where you should be tested, visit www.ontario.ca/covidtest

Testing at select Ontario pharmacies:

• By appointment only
• For individuals not displaying symptoms of COVID-19 but meet the criteria outlined on Ontario.ca/covidtest
• Visit Ontario.ca/covidtest to find the closest participating pharmacy and to arrange an appointment

• Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Halloween tips to help keep the community safe when trick-or-treating and while handing out candy
• Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare - Assessment Centre in Muskoka
• Government of Ontario COVID-19 - re-opening plan, safety guidelines, public reporting
• Government of Canada COVID-19 - all resources and status updates
• Public Health Agency of Canada - Risk level for Canadians, current situation and travel advisories
• Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Closely monitoring the situation
• Telehealth Ontario - 1-866-797-0000
• World Health Organization - Technical documents, questions and answers

Mayor Karin Terziano issues updates during COVID-19:

• June 30th - video update
• June 24th - Mayor's Report Doppler Online
• May 13th - video update
• May 9th - written update joint message from Muskoka's Mayors and District Chair
• April 20th - video update
• April 6th - video update
• March 30th - video update
• March 22nd - video update
• March 19th - video update

Visit huntsville.ca/news for:

• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Ontario Supports Main Street Businesses issued October 8, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Huntsville's Assessment Centre To Book Same-Day Appointments issued October 6, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Huntsville's Assessment Centre transitions to by-appointment only testing issued October 4, 2020
• Joint Media Release: Muskoka COVID-19 Testing Locations Follow Changes to Testing Eligibility issued September 30, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Testing and Assessment Centre to open in Huntsville issued September 16, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Town Pool and Ice Rink Preparing to Re-Open issued September 11, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: New Drive-Through Testing Date issued September 11, 2020.
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Huntsville to Receive Safe Restart Assistance issued August 14, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Stage 3 Re-openings issued July 17, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Huntsville joins Digital Mainstreet’s ShopHERE Program to Support Local Businesses issued July 14, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Face Coverings Required on Huntsville Transit issued July 10, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Modified Service and Lifted Restrictions  issued June 25, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Town Hall Building to Re-open to Public issued June 24, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Canada Day Celebrations issued June 23, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Main St. Sidewalk Signage issued June 16, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Short Term Rental Accommodations issued June 5, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Brunel Locks to Open issued June 3, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Town of Huntsville working with Community Partners to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Local Businesses issued May 29, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Re-Opening of Select Outdoor Recreational Amenities issued May 21, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Local Businesses issued May 20, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: May Long Weekend issued May 14, 2020 (included is joint message from Muskoka Mayors and District Chair to all residents)
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update recreation programs and activities issued May 6, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update for Town of Huntsville issued April 29, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Building Site Inspections issued April 21, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Short-Term Accommodation Rentals issued April 15, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Town to Provide Support to Table Food Bank and Salvation Army issued April 9, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Level of Service issued April 7, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Reminder of Recreational and Outdoor Amenity Closures issued April 2, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Extended Town Closures and Cancellations issued March 31, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Property Tax Payments issued March 27, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Huntsville Transit issued March 24, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Huntsville Business Community issued March 22, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Parks and Open Spaces Safety Warning issued March 20, 2020
• Media Release: COVID-19 Update: Town Hall Facility to Close to Public Until April 6, 2020 issued March 17, 2020
• Media Release: Town to Close Majority of Municipal Facilities until April 5 as a Result of COVID-19 issued March 15, 2020
• Media Release: Town Postpones Programs and Events as a Precaution During Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - issued March 13, 2020

• Visit muskoka.on.ca
• Read the joint message from Muskoka’s Mayors and the District Chair to all residents – year round and seasonal: “We are all in this together.” Read the full message on muskoka.on.ca

Denise Corry, CAO

Town of Huntsville

705-789-1751

denise.corry@huntsville.ca

• Town of Bracebridge
• Town of Gravenhurst      
• Township of Georgian Bay
• Township of Lake of Bays
• Township of Muskoka Lakes

• Office of the Premier’s newsroom
• Government of Ontario's framework for a guided approach to reopening our province, after COVID-19

• Prime Minister of Canada news releases