Teens on still-closed basketball courts new trend: Newmarket bylaw

As Newmarket cautiously reopens, general inquiry calls from residents are on the rise

Newmarkettoday.ca
June 17, 2020
Kim Champion

Teenagers gathered in numbers that exceed social gathering rules -- which, since June 12, doubled to 10 people maximum for a single social circle or “bubble” -- continues to be a concerning trend in Newmarket, according to the town's bylaw unit.

On routine patrols June 8 to 15, bylaw officers noted groups of teenagers on the town’s basketball courts, which remain closed until further notice, along with outdoor fitness equipment and municipal playgrounds.

And, as the province moves to reopen more businesses and facilities in slow and careful stages to stop the spread of COVID-19, general inquiry calls to the town are also on the rise about what is and is not permitted.

Newmarket and the rest of York Region will move into stage 2 of Ontario’s three-stage coronavirus recovery plan on June 19.

That means with strict safety protocols in place, retail and malls, food, food trucks, and personal care services can reopen Friday, including patio dining, hair and beauty salons, and day spas.

Fitness gyms remained closed at this time, but personal trainers may offer their services provided physical distancing is ensured. Movie theatres also remain shuttered at this time, but drive-ins get the go-ahead.

Newmarket bylaw continues to take an education-first approach to the province’s emergency orders of physical distancing and social gatherings, and didn’t issue a single fine during the past week.

Officers did, however, issue 95 warnings through public education and voluntary compliance. This was up slightly over the week prior, where 82 warnings were issued.

In total, the town’s bylaw team conducted 245 proactive patrols of parks, and logged 2,545 interactions with people out in the community.

The town received the following formal complaint calls related to parks (31), businesses (11), physical distancing (12), and 19 general inquiries, up from six the week prior.