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HELLO OTTAWA

Yesterday we wrote that it was expected that Ottawa would be in a two-week lockdown from Thursday. Premier Doug Ford made the announcement later in the day: Nope. It's a 28 day lockdown beginning Saturday. 

Wait, were we not already in a lockdown?

Not like this. This is last March-style. We're all to stay at home and only leave to go to work, buy food or visit medical professionals, or exercise.

What about shopping and restaurants?

Only essential businesses may remain open for indoor shopping – and those are reduced to 25 per cent capacity. 

Restaurants, hardware and pet stores can provide curbside service or delivery. 

Casinos, indoor sports facilities, salons, barbers, and the like must close.

Wasn't Ottawa doing well in managing COVID-19 cases?

Yes, we were. And that has annoyed both the mayor and the director of Ottawa Public Health. They are appealing to the Province to limit it to 14 days.

What do we do now?

▪️Prohibition House is taking reservations in their socially distanced dining room tonight and tomorrow night (December 23rd). If there was ever a time to enjoy small plates and cocktails, this is it.

▪️Speaking of cocktails, Charlotte has happy hour pricing all night today and tomorrow. If you prefer wine, on December 23rd bottles are half price. 340 Elgin Street, Second Floor, Ottawa.

▪️Pembroke’s Square Timber Brewing will deliver your beer before Christmas, as long as you order by Wednesday (tomorrow). As well as their lovely beer, they’ve got some sweet swag. We especially like the Bunny Hug IPA glass.

▪️If it’s time to update the bread at your Christmas meal, the Black Walnut Bakery in Cumberland has sweet potato buns at the take out window. They’re open til 5pm today and tomorrow and until 3:00pm on Thursday December 24th. 979 Cameron St. Cumberland, Ontario K4C 1A1 

▪️Stittsville’s Quitters Coffee is closing “until further notice.” We hope that means that they’ll reopen at the end of the lockdown. They’re open December 23rd and 24th from 8:00am to 5:00pm and for takeaway only on December 26th and 27th from 8:00am to 5:00pm. 1523 Stittsville Main St., Stittsville, ON, Canada

▪️The taproom at Beyond the Pale will be closing at 4:00pm on Chrismas Eve, and reopening at the end of the lockdown. Home deliveries and pickups will still be available.

We'll see you tomorrow – Martha and Darren


#STATS

Weather: ?️ 60 per cent chance of snow. High of 1°

Number: 5. The number of fires within 14 hours that the Ottawa Fire Department had to deal with [Ottawa Citizen

Ottawan of the Day: David McGee. The writer has released Lost Ottawa 3, his third book of weird and wild Ottawa history. [Capital Current] [Lost Ottawa]

Quote: “I’m a little bit angry. Just because Toronto can’t get their act together, Ottawa’s being punished for it – John Svazas, owner of Fauna and Bar Laurel, on restaurants in Ottawa being forced into delivery and takeout only even though the CIty has lowered COVID-19 cases. [Ottawa Citizen]


CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Public Health Reports: 

OTTAWA

Ottawa Public Health Dashboard

Ottawa Wastewater Dashboard

Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

Ottawa Catholic School Board

Conseil des ecoles catholiques du Centre-Est

Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario
 

There have been 9384 confirmed cases of COVID‌-19, an increase of 31 since yesterday, and 389 deaths, no new reports.
 

OUTAOUAIS

Outaouais Public Health dashboard

There have been 4319 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 67 since yesterday, and 99 deaths, two new reports.
 

EASTERN ONTARIO

Eastern Ontario Health Unit dashboard

There have been 1213 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 42 since yesterday, and 32 deaths, no new reports.


Sometimes the number of cases or deaths are lower from one day to the next. This is usually because the powers-that-be reassigned a case to a different health authority.


⭕ Expert believes UK’s new COVID-19 strain is already in Canada [NarCity]

⭕ Rockcliffe resident confirms that he won't be inviting his mom to Christmas, even though she lives only two hours away [CTV]

⭕ Canada bans flights from the UK due to fears of a new COVID-19 strain. The ban will last to at least Thursday morning. [CTV]


 ? The Canada COVID Alert App

Be alerted if you have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The app now works in Quebec as well as Ontario.

How It Works       [Apple App Store]      [Google Play Store]

HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

We’ve made t-shirts of iconic Ottawa logos. They'll make great Christmas gifts for Ottawans young and old.

Printed in Canada and shipped well before Christmas if you order now. It's too late for Christmas but would make a great January gift.

 

BUY

 

And don’t forget: you can still buy official ottawan t-shirts

#WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

▪️ Online sextortion cases in Gatineau rise 50 per cent. Scammers approach mostly men in their 20s, record them in action, then extort them for money over a threat to post the video online. [CBC

▪️ The Canada Revenue Agency has made their database of companies receiving the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy public. The database doesn't show how much company received but it does show who received it. It shows how devasting COVID-19 has been to everyone. [Canadian Press] [Wage Subsidy Database]

▪️ Goodlife, MOVATI Barrhaven, YMCA of Eastern Ontario have all put membership fees on hold during lockdown. If you are a member somewhere, check whether you are still being charged for services that you cannot use. If you can afford it, the business probably needs it more than you. If you can't make sure that it's stopped. [CTV]

▪️ Water levels on the Ottawa River have been higher than expected say some and some residents are worried about floods like we had in 2017. However, the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board website shows things are normal. [Whig Standard] [Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board]

THE OTTAWAN

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Holiday Gift GuideHistoric Ottawa Logo T-Shirts

? Maps: Ottawa-Gatineau Craft Brewery MapHeated Patio MapBlack-owned Restaurants Map 

?️ The Best Of Ottawa Awards 2020 

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