COVID-19 will claim more than 100 municipal jobs in Chatham-Kent.
Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire told the media during a briefing on Thursday that staff layoffs are coming because the pandemic has closed many municipal amenities such as arenas, pools, and libraries but municipal services will be maintained during this uncertain time. He said the numbers aren't exact yet but a report with the total impact is coming before council on Monday night.
Shropshire said some staff have already been redeployed to help other areas such as long-term care homes and more redeployment is coming with those who can't be redeployed being laid off as early as this week. He added parks will be maintained this year with limited staff and there won't be any summer hires.
Shropshire is also clearing up a couple of controversial items. He said the tip line set up this week to report those who violate pandemic orders was created because the municipality was getting bombarded with complaints from "scared residents" and those with compromised health conditions. He said he hopes people comply with the current closures and bans of non-essential places voluntarily and enforcement will be the last resort to try and keep the community safe. Municipal bylaw enforcement officers and public health inspectors are keeping a close eye out for lawbreakers and will hand out hefty fines if needed.
"Instead of Crime Stoppers we have Virus Stoppers," said Chatham-Kent's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Colby during a municipal Facebook live public question and answer session on Friday.
The CAO also said the backyard fire ban announced on Wednesday was imposed to protect firefighters from the COVID-19 virus. Shropshire added the fewer recreational fire pit fires there are, the less exposure firefighters will have to COVID-19.
The municipality was considering reviewing the opening of golf courses because warmer weather is coming during the COVID state of emergency but has reconsidered its position. Dr. Colby, told reporters during a news conference on Thursday that playing golf may be OK if the golfers are not sick but has received some clarity since.
CK Public Health ordered golf courses to close in late March and Colby said they will remain closed because they are not essential businesses.
Colby also said Canadian Snowbirds coming back from their winter havens who have a trailer at local trailer parks will have access to their trailer as long as they isolate for the mandatory 14 days upon return. He said if it's their only home, the municipality can't stop them. Colby added the prime minister ordered Canadians to come home several weeks ago and access to their dwellings cannot be restricted because they have nowhere else to go. Some neighbouring towns are worried about the population doubling but Colby said the municipality can't stop it.
"It's very hard to ask people not to use their own places," he said.