The County of Lambton and City of Sarnia have terminated state of emergency declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The emergency declaration was made in March of 2020 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Lambton County officially ended its declaration at around 9:15 a.m. Friday and the City of Sarnia's ended at 11:41 a.m.
States of Emergency were also lifted Friday in Plympton-Wyoming and Petrolia.
Warden Kevin Marriott said the county believes it can incorporate the ongoing response to COVID within its day-to-day operations without significant outside assistance.
"We believe we're in a position to respond to COVID-19 within the normal resources and processes, and as well, tie it in with the province loosening mandates and protocols."
Marriott said residents will see a gradual return to the way things were in 2019.
"It's a really positive feeling. I think the public in anxious to get back to some normalcy and it's good that the county can help people get back to that normal," said Marriott. "It's going to take a little time to return to normal but at least the process has started."
Marriott said the state of emergency allowed the county to access the extra funds provided by the province.
"Especially for things like the homeless and social service, because we went from a number of about 50, 60 homeless to almost 300 at one point. So being able to access those provincial funds was unbelievably helpful."
Marriott said as the community transitions to the next phase of the pandemic, he's encouraging residents to extend compassion and understanding towards those who are adapting to new routines.
A media release from the county said that while the emergency declaration is ending, the virus still very much exists and is expected to be within Lambton long-term.
https://twitter.com/CountyofLambton/status/1499784405820350466
