Date Published: 

May 5 2020
PDF Upload: 
 release_-_county_service_impacts_-_may_2020.pdf (146.27 KB) The following release has been issued by the County of Simcoe on May 5, 2020 at 2:16 PM

The County of Simcoe continues to provide vital services to residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Due to health protocols, staffing impacts and public utilization of some programs and services, the County continues to adjust operations to ensure essential and urgent supports remain in place.

LINX Transit
Starting Monday, May 11, LINX Transit is making the following adjustments:

• Route 1 – Penetanguishene/Midland to Barrie – Transit service will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the last trips leaving at 6:30 p.m. The frequency of service remains every 90 minutes
• Route 2 – Wasaga Beach to Barrie – Transit service will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the last trips leaving at 6:30 p.m. Service frequency remains unchanged
• Route 3 – Orillia to Barrie – Morning service will begin in Orillia at 6:45 a.m. with the last morning trip leaving Barrie at 9:05 a.m. Service will resume in the afternoon, starting in Orillia at 3:05 p.m. with the last trip leaving Barrie at 5:25 p.m. Service frequency during these hours of operation is every 100 minutes
• Route 4 – Wasaga Beach to Collingwood – Transit services operating daily on the Sunday schedule beginning in Collingwood at 7:00 a.m. with the last trip leaving Wasaga Beach at 8:30 p.m. Service frequency is hourly. There is no service to Collingwood Collegiate, and no service on Victoria Day, Monday, May 18, 2020
• LINX+ (accessible transit) is not affected by these schedule changes

Reminder: To find out when your next bus is arriving, go to www.nextlinx.simcoe.ca/open_in_new or use Transit app, available at https://transitapp.com/open_in_new or download on your device free of charge.

In keeping with public health guidelines, the County is requesting that ALL riders:

• Keep 2 meters (6 feet) between them and other passengers and the driver
• Remove all personal belongings and waste upon departure
• Sneeze/cough into their elbow, use hand sanitizer and wash hands properly

Solid Waste Management
Curbside Clothing Collection
Clothing collection, which was scheduled to occur the weeks of June 15 and June 22, 2020, has been postponed until further notice due to the temporary closure of the processing facility where material is sorted and graded.

Spring Compost Sales
Spring residential and commercial compost sales (offered annually at landfills and transfer stations) have been postponed until further notice in order to adhere to provincial health guidelines regarding essential services and limit visits to landfill sites to emergencies only.

Call-in Bulky Item Collection
Call-in Bulky Item Collection that normally runs from June through September has been postponed until further notice to adhere to public health guidelines and to assist in maximizing staff resources supporting essential services and programs.

Long-Term Care COVID-19 testing
The Province has launched a new proactive testing strategy that tests staff and residents in all long-term care homes to help limit the spread of COVID-19 through earlier detection of asymptomatic carriers. By expanding testing, health officials will be better able to understand the breadth of this problem so that they can work with all levels of government and our health agencies to identify risk and limit the extent of further exposure. This testing will also allow public health and long-term care homes to gain helpful insight into our current situation and tailor health precautions accordingly. While additional positive cases may be identified through mass testing, the process will support measures to flatten the COVID-19 curve earlier and work to mitigate further spread. County of Simcoe Paramedic Services are supporting the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit as needed on testing.

Tourism and business supports
Tourism Simcoe County and the County's Economic Development Office, in conjunction with member municipalities and area partners, continue to update an online directory of local businesses in Simcoe County that are providing services and goods to residents while following provincial guidelines and physical distancing measures. Visit experience.simcoe.caopen_in_new, or follow @TourismSimcoeCounty on Facebook, follow @SimcoeCountyEDO on Twitter and @experiencesimcoecounty on Instagram for daily updates.

The County of Simcoe Economic Development Office (EDO), in partnership with member municipalities, the cities of Barrie and Orillia and regional partners, has launched phase II of the Business Impact Survey to assess regional economic development needs and opportunities. To participate in the COVID-19 Business Impact Survey 2.0, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YVSYPZ2open_in_new. The deadline for survey submissions is May 8, 2020.

Museum month and Museum from home programming
May is Museum month and the Simcoe County Museum is offering a range of virtual programs to provide interesting entertainment and history lessons for all ages through informative and engaging activities and tours. Visit http://www.museum.simcoe.caopen_in_newwww.museum.simcoe.caopen_in_new for details.

Staff will continue to monitor usage of our services and adjust services accordingly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to avoid non-essential travel and use of our County waste facilities and follow public health guidelines to stay home and help us flatten the COVID-19 curve.

Chris Hedley
Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Branch
705-715-7654 (mobile)
Chris.Hedley@simcoe.ca email

Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Branch
705-734-8386 (mobile)
Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.caemail