A state of emergency was declared in both Peterborough city and county on Monday over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Diane Therrien and County Warden J. Murray Jones made the declarations via teleconference with reporters; Therrien's speech was also livestreamed on the city's website.

The declaration of an emergency was declared under the Provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Declaring the state of emergency allows the city and county to tap into access to provincial funding for actions related to the emergency and relief, should funding become available.

Emergency services including Peterborough Police Service, Peterborough Fire Services and Peterborough County-City Paramedics continue to operate.

The city continues to provide core services with some adjusted service levels.

"For the safety of yourself and others, stay home except for essential outings," Therrien said. "This is a public health emergency: we need to be responsible, proactive and smart."

By declaring a state of emergency, she said, the city is "clearly stating" that the city's efforts at this time are focused on the pandemic and the health and safety of all.

Therrien called on people returning to Peterborough from travels outside Canada to go home and stay home for 14 days.

"Which means no stops for gas, no stops at the grocery store, no stops at the pharmacy," she said. "If you don't self-isolate, you're being irresponsible.

"Inviting a friend over for coffee is not self-isolating.... This can be a life and death situation."

As of Monday there were three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Peterborough: one in a 30-year-old man who'd recently travelled to Spain and Portugal, one in a person who'd had close contact with that man, and one in a woman in her 60s who'd just returned from Florida.

But Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, the medical officer of health, said on Monday there could be other unconfirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city and that if you've been outside Canada over the past 14 days it's critical to stay home.

To help slow the spread of COVID-19, authorities advise:

. Stay home as much as possible.

. Stay at least two metres apart from other people.

. Wash your hands frequently using soap and for 15 to 20 seconds each time.

. Use hand sanitizer.

. Cough or sneeze into your arm.

. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, stay home. You can use the online self-assessment tool at covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/

. If you have travelled outside of Canada recently, you must stay home for 14 days

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joelle.kovach

@peterboroughdaily.com