We continue to operate under a state of emergency in the Township of Scugog in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our community entered stage 2 of the provincial reopening plan on June 19th and on July 10th, 2020. Masks are now mandatory in commercial establishments across the Region of Durham. I agree with this order and personally look at the mask as a sign of respect; respect for each other, protecting the person next to you, and respect for our frontline workers who continue to respond in times of need and illness. If we all wear a mask, we can help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. At the last Council meeting in June, Council approved the Cannabis Interim Control By-law. The Township has been receiving an increased number of inquiries regarding cannabis cultivation, along with complaints regarding established operations. This By-law will prohibit development of cannabis cultivation/production facilities in the Township for one year. This will provide staff the time to complete the review process and develop land use control measures, that effectively regulate the siting and design of cannabis cultivation and production facilities, in the Township. Legally existing cannabis operations are permitted to continue, as long as they were in operation prior to the Cannabis Interim Control By-law. With the warmer summer weather here, we are seeing a lot of people out in the community. There were a number of complaints sent to our By-law staff and to members of Council recently, regarding crowding on the Port Perry Pier, along with fishing activities impeding boat launch areas. I would like to thank you for sharing these concerns. We have established a plan to address the issues and will continue to monitor [this] to determine if additional action will be required. You will notice some new signs installed. Should anyone witness a concern with people not adhering to physical distancing orders, kindly email bylaw@scugog.ca or call Durham Regional Police at 1-800-841-2729 to report the problem. We continue to search for ways to improve physical distances throughout the community. The Township Council and staff worked with the Port Perry BIA to establish a plan to address physical distancing concerns in the downtown area of Port Perry. Weekends have been especially challenging and this plan should help to provide additional physical distance for people visiting area stores and restaurants along Queen Street. Queen Street, from Perry to Water, will be closed to vehicles and the parking spots on the north side of Queen, from Perry to John, will be closed providing additional space for the businesses and visitors. These closures will be in place on Saturday and Sunday for the next four weekends. We will also have surveys available to gather feedback on this initiative. Please assist us and provide your comments. For more information visit my.scugog.ca. We anticipate an announcement, moving Durham Region to stage 3 of the provincial reopening plan soon which will permit additional services and businesses to open along with increased gathering limits. This will bring excitement for some and apprehension for others. I would like to remind us all to be patient as we all have different circumstances. Be kind to each other, it is a stressful time for everyone. Visit our website for updates, at scugog.ca/covid19, and continue to practice physical distancing, excellent hand hygiene, and wear your mask when in a business or if physical distancing is a challenge. Take care of yourself and families.