Stouffville launches website detailing reopening plan as COVID-19 restrictions ease

Stouffvillereopens.ca is a one-stop shop for information about what's currently opened and closed and the town's reopening plan

Yorkregion.com
July 6, 2020
Simon Martin

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has launched a new website outlining its reopening plan in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

StouffvilleReopens.ca details the town’s plan for a gradual, safe and measured reopening of municipal facilities and the restart of town services and programs as well as providing a comprehensive list of what is open and closed currently.

“StouffvilleReopens.ca outlines the steps the town will take to keep our residents and employees safe,” Mayor Iain Lovatt said. “It provides a road map to our future -- in a world where COVID-19 is still present and every precaution is needed.”

Since COVID-19 began to spread in March, the town has closed municipal facilities and cancelled or postponed programming and events. Many municipal services were able to continue, and the town found new and different ways to continue delivering as many services as possible.

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville delivers more than 40 services to the community.

During the COVID-19 emergency, some of these services have continued, and some have continued on a modified basis. Some services were postponed or cancelled due to resourcing or other health and safety related concerns. StouffvilleReopens.ca provides information on each town service through each of the phases of reopening.

The website also outlines the steps the town will take to keep residents and employees healthy and safe in municipal facilities and spaces. It identifies 15 municipal workplaces or environments, some where residents may visit, and outlines the different requirements and controls that will be in place in each of them.

In addition to showing the phases, work environment descriptions and service availability, the website also outlines the ‘current situation’ in Whitchurch-Stouffville, including planning, building and council information. It also has resources for businesses and individuals and ideas for fun family activities.

“We must keep in mind the virus is still out there,” Lovatt said. “We need to do everything possible to make the community safe and our quality of life is maintained and we are well on our way!”

The town will take guidance from the Province of Ontario moving between phases. However, reopening in Whitchurch-Stouffville will depend on the pandemic situation within the town, and may not align exactly with the province’s phases, Lovatt notes.