March 30th 2020
UPDATE
March has certainly been an interesting month for many. We hope everyone is doing well and feeling well! We would like to take this time to thank you again for your patience and understanding while our staff and volunteers practice “contactless” meal delivery service.
With so much going on, you may not have realized, but Easter is fast approaching.
Please note that there will be no meal delivery service on Friday, April 10th due to the statutory holiday. Anyone who would like to receive an extra meal before the Easter holiday can do so by calling 519-351-6325.
Also, if you are planning to be away over the holiday, and wish to suspend your meal delivery service for any amount of time, please let us know by phoning 519-351-6325 as soon as possible. Our office is open from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday.
Later this week you will be receiving your invoice for the month of March. We kindly ask that you refrain from payments in cash, until further notice. Our preferred method of payment for the safety of our volunteers will be payment online at www.mealsonwheelsck.com
Or
By mailing in payment by cheque to:
Meals on Wheels
99 Park Street
Chatham ON N7M 3R5
March 22,2020
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CLIENTS
At Meals on Wheels we are continually monitoring the rapidly evolving situation related to COVID-19, and our top priority remains the health and safety of our clients, volunteers and staff. We are receiving daily updates from the Ministry of Health and we are planning for our services to continue unless we receive direction otherwise.
Beginning Monday, March 23rd we will be implementing “contactless” delivery measures to ensure the safety of all involved. As such, volunteers will place client meals in a plastic bag to hang on the doorknob or place on a porch surface and knock/call the client as usual. Stepping back 2 metres from the door, the volunteer will wait for the client to retrieve the meal. These changes allow us to practice social distancing as recommended by health officials while continuing to ensure that our clients get a check-in from volunteers.
We ask for your patience and understanding as the new contactless measure may increase delivery wait times.
March 16,2020
Over the past few months, the respiratory illness caused by a novel Coronavirus called COVID-19 has become an increasing global focus. New cases continue to be identified across Canada. At this time, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Chatham-Kent area and the risk in our community remains low.
The Ministry of Health is working with its partners in the health care system in implementing a robust plan to monitor for, detect and, if needed, isolate any cases of COVID-19, and taking several steps to ensure the health and safety of Ontarians. For more information, you can visit the Ministry website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus or the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit website https://ckphu.com/2020/01/covid19/
At Meals on Wheels Chatham-Kent, we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our clients, staff and volunteers. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Meals on Wheels program has implemented active screening for all volunteers and employees as well as enhanced infection control measures within all routine practices.
We are asking clients who are feeling unwell to call the Meals on Wheels office at 519-351-6325 in advance to communicate a method of meal delivery that would not require direct contact with a volunteer. We are also encouraging clients to purchase up to 14 days’ worth of provisions to prepare for possible reductions in volunteers and/or program shutdown.
Preventative Measures
We encourage you to continue to follow preventative measures to reduce the transmission of and exposure to germs and viruses, including influenza, frequent colds, and COVID-19:
- Wash 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;
- Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick;
- Practice good cough etiquette (maintain distance, sneeze/cough into your elbow or a tissue, put used tissues in a waste receptacle and wash hands immediately after using tissues)
We will continue to monitor the updates locally and will work closely with our peers in the community to respond accordingly. Please rest assured that we will continue to take every precaution and remember the best way to prevent the spread of germs is through proper hand hygiene.
As the situation evolves, our priority remains to keep clients, volunteers, and employees safe while continuing to provide you with nutritious meals and peace of mind. We thank you for your assistance.