LATEST INFORMATION
April 9, 2020
With the continuing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, H’art Centre will remain closed until further notice. We will be monitoring COVID-19 developments as they happen and will be updating our website and phone message to keep everyone informed on when we will be able to resume our normal programming and welcome our participants back. You can find these announcements here or by calling 613-545-1392.
Our team will continue to provide activities and links to online ideas through our social media pages, along with phone calls and Zoom meetings each week to keep everyone connected in this time of social distancing.
Wishing everyone the best—stay safe, stay healthy, stay home!
H’art Centre Staff & Administration
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March 30, 2020
Dear H’art Participants, Families, Caregivers and Supporters,
As you know, the Government of Ontario issued an order that all non-essential businesses close and remain closed until at least April 14, 2020. Due to this order, we will remain closed past our original projected date of April 6th and will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments as they happen. We will continue to update this website and our phone message at 613-545-1392 to keep everyone informed on when we will be able to resume our normal programming and welcome our participants back to the Studio.
In the meantime, our staff prepared some activities and messages that we shared via Facebook last week. For those without access to a Facebook account but interested in the fun ideas available online, we emailed a copy of last week’s calendar to all registered participants who have provided an email address.
H’art Centre Staff & Administration
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March 17, 2020 1:18 PM
Dear H’art Participants, Families, Caregivers and Supporters,
Thank you to everyone who has been in touch via email and phone over the course of the last 24 hours.
The rapid developments and recommendations being made to slow the transmission of COVID-19 have produced uncertainty and stress for the entire community. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this extraordinary situation based on directives from government and public health officials.
Following the announcement by the Government of Ontario this morning, we will be closing H’art Centre to all participants effective today until April 6, 2020. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and will update our website and phone message prior to our re-opening date. You can find these announcements on this webpage or by calling 613-545-1392.
We once again want to thank each and every one of our participants, families and caregivers for the support and patience you have extended and we hope that all of you stay safe and stay healthy over the coming weeks.
We look forward to seeing your smiling faces in April and hope that you will stay in touch in the meantime!
H’art Centre Staff, Administration and Board of Directors
You can read more about the announcement by Government of Ontario here: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/03/ontario-enacts-declaration-of-emergency-to-protect-the-public.html
For the most up to date information about COVID-19, in multiple languages visit the: Ministry of Health website: www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
or KFL&A Public Health website https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/novel-coronavirus.aspx
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March 17, 2020: 10:00 a.m.
H’art Centre staff are currently on-site but a phone message describing our extremely limited service was made available at 9 a.m. To listen, call 613-545-1392. It will be updated as necessary.
We monitored the province’s press conference this morning. Further updates regarding changes to our policies will be going out later today to all of our participants, families and caregivers by email. We thank you for your continued patience in these difficult times and urge everyone to stay safe and stay healthy.
For the most up to date information about COVID-19, in multiple languages visit the Ministry of Health website. Questions? Visit the KFL&A Public Health website or call KFL&A Public Health 613-549-1232, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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March 16, 2020
All enrolled participants, parents and caregivers should have now received an email outlining our current approach. Our current status is subject to change based on evolving circumstances. We will be updating our answering service message each morning by 9 a.m. You can call 613-545-1392 and check back to this webpage periodically.
We continue to monitor all recommendations from the Chief Medical Officer of Canada and our own provincial Ministry of Health.
We thank all of you for your support.
For the most up to date information about COVID-19, in multiple languages visit the Ministry of Health website. Questions? Visit the KFL&A Public Health website or call KFL&A Public Health 613-549-1232, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
H’art Centre
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March 16, 2020
In consideration of the efforts to combat COVID-19 in the community, H’art Centre has:
- Suspended all rehearsals and activities related to our upcoming production of Small Things
- Postponed the performances of Small Things (originally scheduled for April 17th and 18th) until fall 2020 (dates to be determined.
For the most up to date information about COVID-19, in multiple languages visit the Ministry of Health website. Questions? Visit the KFL&A Public Health website or call KFL&A Public Health 613-549-1232, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
H’art Centre
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March 12, 2020
H’art Centre encourages everyone who attends or visits H’art Centre and their family members or caregivers to follow the following infection prevention and control strategies:
- Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cough and sneeze into the bend of your arm, not into your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it away immediately and wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes with your hands.
- Get plenty of rest, eat healthily and stay physically active to keep your immune system strong.
- Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with other people until you are better.
- If you suspect you are sick, avoid visiting people in long-term care, or individuals with health concerns.
- If you are seeking medical care and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, always put on a mask when you arrive to help protect others.
With March Break around the corner, public health officials are also urging travellers to check the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel. Anyone who regularly attends or visits H’art Centre should check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness, fever, cough, or difficulty breathing before returning to or visiting the Centre. If you or your family members have any symptoms, you should contact public health, Telehealth, or their primary care provider in advance for assessment before returning to the Centre.
As this is an evolving situation, we continue to remind people of the importance of using credible sources to stay informed and encourage others to do the same. We continue to update our website as new information is available.
For the most up to date information, in multiple languages visit the Ministry of Health website. Questions? Visit the KFL&A Public Health website or call KFL&A Public Health 613-549-1232, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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March 6, 2020
We issued a letter to participants, parents and caregivers on March 6, 2020. As we are still in cold/flu season—and it would be hard to turn on a TV or open a newsfeed without coming across articles related to coronavirus (COVID-19)— we wanted to take a moment to update everyone on what we are doing here at H’art Centre. Here are some of the proactive measures that were outlined in the letter.
Handwashing and Hygiene Instruction
- Staff are once again stressing the importance of handwashing & personal hygiene with everyone in their workshops.
- We are also reminding everyone to cough/sneeze into their elbows—not their hands.
Social Distance Reminders
- Respect everyone’s personal space at this time. We are encouraging elbow bumps over handshakes and hugs.
Centre Cleaning
We have hired a new maintenance person with commercial/industrial background and have changed over to a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning agent that is safe for everyone here, environmentally responsible AND is used in settings such as hospitals and similar facilities as it is a proven virucidal/bactericidal and fungicidal agent. We are cleaning down all common & shared areas/surfaces including work areas and doorknobs on a daily basis to try and discourage the spread of germs.
Stay at Home Reminder
As we always do this time of year, we ask that if anyone is showing symptoms that they stay home.