COVID-19 respite centre for emergency responders takes shape near Cobourg’s beach
It will be a spot for emergency workers to stay should they need to isolate due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Trailers will be set up at the Victoria Park Campground near Cobourg’s beach.
The first two trailers, which were donated by Owasco RV Centre in Clarington, arrived at the campground on Tuesday.
“What we’ve started to create here is the COVID-19 respite centre,” said police chief Paul VandeGraaf. “It’s going to create a spot for our emergency responders — police, fire and paramedics — as well as some of the doctors, nurses and health care staff.”
All of the trailers will be outfitted with the essentials for the emergency responders.
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“Should anyone have to isolate, they can isolate here,” added VandeGraaf. “The goal is to create a safe environment for someone that can’t go home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The campground, which is usually full of trailers during the summer months, is currently closed during the pandemic.
It will be closed off to pedestrians and will only be accessible by emergency staff.
“In-addition, Northumberland Hills Hospital may bring in trailers for hospital staff who can’t secure hotel rooms,” said Shannon Murphy, Town of Cobourg emergency planner.
A state of emergency remains in-place in Cobourg.
All municipal facilities, amenities, parks, playgrounds and recreation fields remain closed to the public.
The Town of Cobourg activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on March 11.
“All our meetings are daily and are done virtually,” added Murphy.
“Every emergency has a recovery phase. While we can’t predict when it will end, the focus is on the recovery phase. How do we get back to normal when we can? We’re focused on those plans and are creating them as we speak.”
Murphy adds the planning isn’t the difficult part. The difficult part of this is that they don’t know the date.
“Premier Ford has extended the emergency declaration for another 28 days,” said Murphy. “Obviously now, it’s not a two-week thing, it’s at least 28 days until restrictions may be lifted. Because of that, we can’t look at opening up playgrounds or schools. Those decisions are at the timeline management of the province and the health officials as to when those restrictions can be lifted.”
This is the first time the town has activated its EOC in a non-drill setting since the Horizon Plastics fire in 2005.
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