COVID-19 – Emergency Bill Approved

The Canadian parliament has approved an emergency bill to provide up to 82-billion-dollar to help Canadians weather the COVID-19 storm.  It is now up to the Senate to approve the bill. It will deliver 82-billion-dollars in financial aid and tax deferrals to individuals and businesses to help them cope with the economic fallout from the pandemic.

 

Kingston – City Council

Kingston City Council has held its first meeting since the coronavirus pandemic was declared and it made history by doing it completely online.  The meeting was held on the video conferencing program Zoom.

Councillors approved giving the city’s Chief Administrative Officer the power to make decisions on expenditures included in the budget if council isn’t available and the city will be planning to wave some fees and late charges.

 

Winter Parking – City Council

City Council has approved investigating a change in the on-street parking ban during winter months for snow removal.  The Public Works Department will be asked to report back to council on implications to implement a weather-based parking ban.

 

Council – Homeless

The City of Kingston is working to prepare the former Fairfield Manor West as a place to house the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The building at 805 Ridley Drive has been leased by the city and construction work has been taking place to convert the facility for use as early as this week.

The city has closed the Warming and Counselling Centre on Wellington Street.

 

Kingston – Confirmed Cases

KFL&A Public Health says there 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Kingston region.  It updated its information at 10 a.m. yesterday.

Medical Officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, is repeating his request for people to self-isolate and keep a distance of at least six feet or two metres from others if they do go out.

 

COVID-19 – Kingston Transit

Kingston Transit is reducing its service again and has issued layoff notices to 55 part-time bus drivers.

Kingston Transit issued a news release yesterday saying it will operate on a reduced Sunday service schedule seven days a week beginning on Thursday.

The release says the reduction in service is due to a steep decline in ridership.

But – it is adding a dedicated shuttle service for hospital workers.  Healthcare workers can use the shuttle from the Centre 70 Park & Ride to Kingston General Hospital from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

 

COVID-19 – Military Cadets

Officer cadets at the Royal Military College in Kingston are being sent home after being confined to the campus for over a week due to COVID-19.

Classes were suspended yesterday, and the commandant has directed officer cadets to return home where they will finish their final three weeks of studies and final exams online.  Convocation ceremonies have been cancelled and graduating officer cadets will get their commissions as full officers when they join their respective units.

 

COVID-19 – Humane Society

The Kingston Humane Society has decided to suspend adoptions and non-emergency surgeries in an attempt to reduce traffic into the building and to provide a safer environment for its staff.

 

Daft Brewery – Sanitizer

The recently opened Daft Brewery at Princess and Macdonnell Streets in Kingston is distilling its first batch of hand sanitizer. Owner Adam Rondeau says they bought a still about a year ago and have taken it out of storage. He expects to have the first batch of hand sanitizer ready by the end of this week.

It will be for use by health-care workers.