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3 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 3,2020 theifp.ca Our 20th An nual 45 Mountainview Road North, Georgetown, Ontario 905.877.7958 e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca • www.hassellautomotive.comSALES & SERVICE HASSELL AUT - Oil & Filter (Includes up to 6 litres regular oil.) - Complete top to bottom check over. - Installation of winter tires (already on rims) included. - $5.00 Tim's Card - Windshield Washer Fluid - 12 Pack of Pop EXTRAS $9495*Call for an Appointment Prices are +HST $7495*7495* Only Synthetic oil (up to 6 litres)*Most Vehicles. hassell automotive sales & service 45Mountainview RoadNorth, Georgetown, Ontario 905.877.7958 e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca • www.hassellautomotive.com Silver 2018 Halton Hills Our 21st Annua l NOWON!HASSELL AUTOMOTIVE Super WINTER Specia l With Toronto and Peel Region in 'lockdown,' there's local concern about an influx of non-residents. "Let me be clear," said Mayor Rick Bonnette. "I am not going to say that our local borders are shut. This is way above my authority and that of council." However, Bonnette urged residents -- regard- less of where they live -- to adhere to the health and safety protocols set out by the Minster of Health. "This means stay at home as much as you can," said the mayor. "I do not want to see Halton Hills in lockdown, which would be devastating to local busi- nesses, sports and leisure activities." Bonnette also encour- aged residents to refrain from visiting friends and family in Halton Hills until after the 28-day lockdown imposed Nov. 21. The municipality contin- ues to adhere to its policy which states that the Town of Halton Hills does not limit program participation by address. Non-resident par- ticipants are subject to a 20 per cent rate in addition to regular fees for fitness clas- ses, swim lessons, and camps, as laid out in the cor- porate rates and fees report. There is only one fee for sin- gle-admission programs. More information about the Town's protocols and safety precautions are available at the Town's CO- VID-19 website. MAYOR URGES 'LOCKDOWN' RESIDENTS NOT TO VISIT BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com COUNCIL As the pandemic contin- ues, Halton Healthcare (HHC) hass rolled out addi- tional restrictions for visi- tors at its hospitals throughout the region. All patients at George- town, Milton and Oakville hospitals are now being asked to identify a limited number of people who can visit them on a regular ba- sis. The decision comes in response to increasing CO- VID-19 cases in the commu- nity and Halton's move to the red zone of the provin- cial framework, say HHC officials. "Family support is al- ways important, especially at this time," said Judy Lin- ton, HHC senior vice-presi- dent of patient experience and chief nursing execu- tive. "However, with commu- nity cases on the rise, we al- so need to ensure that we are protecting our patients and our health-care teams. One of the ways we can do this is by reducing the number of people coming into our buildings. These are not decisions that are made lightly." The visiting restrictions are as follows: • Most patients will be asked to identify two peo- ple who will be allowed to visit them during their hospitalization. These two visitors must co-ordinate their visits as patients will continue to be restricted to one visitor a day within one of the visiting time periods (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). • Patients with excep- tional circumstances (i.e. patients in ICU, at end of life) will be allowed up to four people to be identified as designated visitors who can visit two at a time. Vis- iting times for patients in these situations are deter- mined on a case-by-case basis. • Patients who've tested positive for the coronavi- rus and those waiting for COVID-19 test results are not permitted visitors, un- less their medical status changes significantly for the worse. • Those coming to the emergency department should only be accompa- nied by a support person, if necessary. • Individuals attending an outpatient appoint- ment, such as a diagnostic appointment, are encour- aged to come alone. If sup- port is required, they may be accompanied by one person. All visitors to the hospi- tal are screened at the en- trances, asked to wear a mask during their visit and follow other COVID-19 pro- tocols, including physical distancing and good hand hygiene. "We are relying on those people who are coming to visit to be respectful of the visiting guidelines for when they are in the hospi- tal. We are also asking that they self-monitor and not visit if they are unwell," said Linton. "We don't want to implement further re- strictions unless we are compelled to do so." The hospital's visiting policy has changed throughout this pandemic based on the directions of the provincial govern- ment. Halton Healthcare had initially restricted all visiting at the outset of the pandemic and over time has relaxed the policy to re- introduce visitors for pa- tients. HHC has two programs -- Virtual Visiting and Email a Patient -- for those who aren't able to visit in person. For further details visit www.haltonhealthcare- .com. HOSPITAL INTRODUCES NEW VISITING RESTRICTIONS MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com NEWS SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA