COVID-19

• All Town facilities are closed to the public, including the Town Hall and Paradise Double Ice Complex; 
• Essential, core, and business continuity services are on-going (including water testing, snow / ice control, municipal enforcement, and garbage collection);
• The main phone line 782-1400 and email are monitored and staff will respond to inquiries;
• Curbside garbage and recycling collection is on-going as per the 2021 Garbage Collection Schedule;
• Public Council Meetings are proceeding on regular schedule (first and third Tuesday of the month) via webcasting;
• All recreational programming is suspended;
• The dog parks and all outdoor play structures are closed; and 
• Paradise Park and the various trails in Town are available for use, residents are asked to practice physical distancing and all public health guidelines.

• For those residents who need to make payments to the Town, there are options available; for full details visit www.paradise.ca/tax

There are several ways you can pay property tax, full details are available on the Property Tax web page:

• Online Banking: Payments are accepted through online banking by adding the Town of Paradise as a payee on the bank website and quoting the account number which is found on the front of the municipal tax bill (Ex: ABCDE001). Please note this is not an interest free form of payment.
• Preauthorized Debit: Taxes paid through preauthorized debit are charged through 10 monthly equal payments, which begin March 15 and end December 15. A void cheque and a one-time authorization form are required. No interest is charged if you use this payment method. If you had preauthorized debit in 2020 the debit amount will be adjusted for 2021, unless you cancel, which must be done in writing.
• Post-dated Cheques: Arrangements through post-dated cheques enable 10 equal payments to cover the entire balance of your tax account. The first cheque must be dated March 31, 2021 and the remaining 9 cheques dated the last business day of each subsequent month (April to December).
• Credit Card (Visa, Master Card and American Express), e-Transfer or PayPal: Payments can be completed online through PaySimply, our secure third-party provider, visit the portal to access the service. (Please note that PaySimply will charge you a convenience fee to cover payment handling and processing charges, this fee is not associated with the Town of Paradise and is paid directly to PaySimply.)

Due to Alert Level 5 operations, Town facilities are not open for in-person payment options. 

The Town is providing permits and compliance letters on case-by-case basis. We must ensure we are keeping our staff healthy and safe and that we are supporting social distancing practices.

Inspections: 

Under Alert Level 5, the Town is not able to provide inspections. Please email us, and staff will follow-up with you.

Permits:

For permits and applications, completed forms must be submitted by email. Required forms are available on the Applications, Licences and Permits web page.  

Payment Methods:

• Required fees for permit applications can only be accepted via Interac e-Transfer.
• Through online banking or mobile banking app, add the "Town of Paradise" with the email address accountsreceivable@paradise.ca as a contact.
• The "comment" or "message" section must contain: Name of Applicant, Purpose of the e-transfer. (i.e. Application fee or permit fee, indicating the type of permit) and Civic Address. If this information is not provided, the e-transfer cannot be completed. 

NOTE: If the e-transfer limit cannot cover the entire amount of the permit fee, please send in two installments, indicating the payment is for “Civic #, Street Name, Payment 1 of 2”, or “Civic #, Street Name, Payment 2 of 2”.”  This will alert staff that additional payments will follow. 

Interac e-Transfers will only be accepted through accountsreceivable@paradise.ca    

Compliance Letters: 

Requests for Compliance Letters must be submitted by email.  

Payment Methods:

• The required fee for processing a compliance letter can only be accepted via Interac e-Transfer.
• Through online banking or mobile banking app, add the "Town of Paradise" with the email address accountsreceivable@paradise.ca as a contact. 
• The "comment" or "message" section must contain: Name of legal firm, Purpose of the e-Transfer (i.e. compliance letter fees), and applicable civic address.

Interac e-transfers will only be accepted through accountsreceivable@paradise.ca

Recognizing the challenges and issues businesses are facing due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Paradise implemented a Business Support Plan.

The Plan is multi-faceted offering a number of initiatives designed specifically to support and assist the Town’s business sector. The Town is continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation and adjust this plan and the supports offered as needed. Full details are available on the web page. 

The COVID-19 situation is presenting uncertain times for the business community. The Town's Economic Developer Officer is monitoring the situation and available to lend support. Please contact her if you have questions or need information on available supports for business owners. 

Jennifer Penney, 709.781.400, email

Health officials advise that the best way to prevent the spread of COVID 19 is frequent hand-washing with soap and water, refrain from touching your face and shaking hands with others, and covering cover your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing or sneezing.

Information and updates on COVID-19 are available from:

(Information from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)

Physical distancing means limiting your physical contact with other people in order to stop, slow down or contain the spread of COVID-19. Everyone has a part to play in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Generally, all individuals are advised to avoid crowds and maintain a 2 arms' length distance (approximately 2 metres or 6 feet) from other people.

Activities to avoid:

• group gatherings (e.g. birthday parties, weddings, funerals, etc.)
• having visitors in your home
• sleepovers, play dates and other social interactions with friends
• public spaces (e.g. malls)
• crowded stores

While we are all doing our part to help contain the spread of COVID-19, this situation is challenging for all of us.

As long as you are symptom-free, health officials advise it is safe to go public spaces to get essential supplies such as groceries for,example, however make sure that you are maintaining a 2 arm length distance from other people.

Here are some suggestions from provincial public health officials on activities we can still enjoy at this time:

• get outdoors (weather permitting): take a walk, ride your bike, snowshoeing; play outside; yard work, and sit on your deck
• family game night
• cook, including teaching children how to cook
• listen to or play music
• read a book
• spring cleaning
• watch your favourite shows or movies
• video chat (Skype, Facetime)
• connect with friends on social media

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

• during the COVID-19 public health emergency, please call 1-833-552-2368 to contact the provincial Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development.

Government of Canada

Supporting seniors and vulnerable groups-while we cannot visit seniors and vulnerable residents at this time, there are ways we can offer support: 

• phone calls
• video conferencing (Skype, Facetime)
• send a card or letter (Canada Post is committed to providing service but there may be delays)
• window visits - go to the person's place of residence and visit through the window. Seeing a loved one in-person, even through a window, can provide comfort. Practice social distancing at all times
• grocery and essential supplies - offer to deliver groceries and essential supplies These should be dropped to the door and practice social distancing at all times.

Mental Health Crisis Line

• 1-888-737-4668

 Bridge the Gapp (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)

• online mental health resource 

Canadian Red Cross

• 1-800-863-6582, for anyone having issues or concerns regarding self-isolation, available 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. 

Provincial Warm Line 

• 1-855-753-2560,  9 am to 12 am daily. speak with a trained mental health peer supporter.  

Kids Help Phone

• A 24/7 national support service offering professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French.
• online support
• Call a counsellor: 1-800-668-6868

SeniorsNL

• 1-800-563-5599