Previous responses by the CSMMI on the COVID-19 Pandemic are listed below.

Updated: March 26, 2020

CSMMI’s Response to COVID-19

The City of Burlington and the Province of Ontario have declared States of Emergency.  The Government of Canada has closed the borders to international travellers.  As a result, public facilities are closed, the hotel industry is suffering, and people are required to observe and practice hand washing, social distancing and refrain from large gatherings.

The CSMMI and the Events Planning Committee are currently planning for multiple contingencies for the Annual 2-Day Show in June.  At the moment, the CSMMI will proceed with the Convention.  However, we are monitoring the situation closely and are staying up to date. We will continue to stay informed, research options and ensure we are taking steps to mitigate risks and are following the recommendations of public health organizations and Province of Ontario. Please know that we are evaluating the COVID-19 situation daily and will adjust based on additional feedback from our research and the direction of government and public health officials.

The April Monthly Show may be cancelled if the City of Burlington extends its facility closure.  Check back with this website for updates closer to the event. The Events Planning Committee is also looking into the possibility of rescheduling the Annual Show to later in the year.  Should the Annual Show eventually require cancellation, we will issue refunds on registration fees.

Update: March 13, 2020

The City of Burlington has announced the closing of its facilities that includes the Burlington Seniors Centre, for 3 weeks.  See announcement at www.burlington.ca

Update: March 12, 2020

The CSMMI Executive has Cancelled the Sunday, March 15, 2020 Show

The CSMMI Executive is monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and are listening to the advice of both the City of Burlington and public health officials.

At the moment, the CSMMI has not cancelled the April or May monthly meetings or our annual conference in June.  We are proceeding to hold these future events.  However, since our monthly meetings are held in a City of Burlington facility, we must comply with the decisions the City makes with respect to holding events.  Please check this website or the City of Burlington website for the most current announcements.  We will advise as soon as any new information is available.

As this is an evolving situation, we recommend that attendees make flexible travel arrangements which can be re-booked or cancelled as may be required. We will be reassessing the situation as the outbreak develops and will keep our community fully informed.  We thank everyone for their assistance as we all work through this challenge.

For more information read our blog.

The following notice was posted by the City of Burlington on March 11, 2020

see original notice at

https://www.burlington.ca/en/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=ebaee971-5664-4263-8b48-25c73ea46489

City of Burlington monitoring COVID-19 and taking action to help protect staff and residents

Further to Halton Region Public Health’s update today on the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Halton region, the City of Burlington continues to monitor our own operations daily.  This is the 41^st COVID-19 case confirmed in Ontario. The City is actively increasing the cleaning and disinfecting of common contact points in City facilities and vehicles.

Upcoming decisions about City programs and meetings as well as events at our facilities and public spaces will be made based on the most up-to-date information and advice from our healthcare partners.  The health and well-being of our staff and community is the top priority for everyone at the City of Burlington.

Actions taken to date by the City of Burlington

• City resources are being allocated to increase cleaning and disinfecting, with specific focus on high-traffic touch points.  This will include increasing the cleaning and disinfection of common contact points such as door handles, customer service counters, elevator buttons and handrails, water filling stations, meeting rooms, lunchrooms, POS machines, vehicle steering wheels, door handles, etc.

• The City is increasing Healthy Hands stations (alcohol-based hand sanitizers) in our facilities

• As is normal practice, disinfectant wipes are available for Transit operators to clean the driver’s area on the bus they are assigned to. Additional cleaning and disinfecting strategies are being considered.

• Information posters will be up in City facilities to inform both the public and our staff about steps to take to reduce the likelihood of virus transmission.

• A rapid response team has been created at the Citythat includes staff from across the organization.  The Team’s purpose is to review the latest information received from provincial, regional and public health sources and advise on appropriate actions needed related to City activities.

• After careful consideration, Burlington’s Teen Tour Band nine-day trip to Myrtle Beach for the Can-Am Days parades and concerts has been cancelled. The bus trip to Myrtle Beach would have taken the band through at least 2 states that have currently declared states of emergencies in order to deal with COVID-19. The decision was made out of the abundance of caution to ensure the safety of band members, volunteers and staff based on the information we have at this time.

• The City continues to investigate technology and best practices for cleaning and disinfecting.

• City staff have been directed that all travel for conferences and other work-related trips for out of country that have already been booked should be cancelled.

• City staff have been directed to hold on booking any out of province travel for work.

• City staff continue to be advised to stay home if feeling sick.

The best way residents can prevent the spread of respiratory viruses including COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into upper sleeve, not hand.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Residents can stay informed at Burlington.ca as well as on our social media channels: @cityburlington on twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington.

Links and Resources

City of Burlington: burlington.ca

Halton Region: www.halton.ca/coronavirus

Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca/coronavirus

Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/coronavirus

World Health Organization: www.who.int

City of Burlington Twitter: @cityburlington

City of Burlington Facebook: Facebook.com/cityburlington