Vaughan moves to a modified Stage 2

Urbantoronto.ca
October 21, 2020

The City of Vaughan’s news release is included in a roundup of top industry stories from this week.

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The City of Vaughan continues to work with all levels of government to implement precautionary measures to ensure public safety in response to COVID-19. Effective Monday, Oct. 19, the Province of Ontario has announced modified Stage 2 restrictions for the city of Vaughan and all of York Region for 28 days.

As a result, all City fitness centres will be closed starting on Monday, Oct. 19. In-person fitness classes will be cancelled. However, virtual fitness classes will continue to be available via Zoom and YouTube. Fitness memberships will be put on hold and extended for the duration of the closure. Swimming pools will remain open for recreational and length swimming, as well as aquafitness, with additional protocols, including reduced capacity; the number of people in the pool at one time will be limited to 10. Pre-registration is required to use a City pool and can be done at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. View pool guidelines, the check-in procedure and schedules at vaughan.ca/swim.

Arenas will also remain open by permit only, however, the number of people on the ice at one time will be limited to 10 with no spectators. Team sports will be limited to training sessions only -- no games and scrimmages.

The Province’s new restrictions for Vaughan and York Region include a number of other targeted measures, and prohibit indoor food and drink service in restaurants, bars and other establishments. For a complete list of measures, read the Province’s news release.

The City's By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services department, in partnership with public health officials, York Regional Police and other levels of government, remains at the forefront in applying and enforcing the provincial regulations passed under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA), the directions of the Medical Officer of Health and the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Measures By-law. To avoid further closures and remain vigilant in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 transmissions, enforcement and education efforts have been increased across the City. Greater attention and a more assertive, proactive approach to enforcement are underway. Public complaints, concerns and inquiries should be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.

Throughout COVID-19, many virtual offerings have been introduced or enhanced to offer a new, efficient and streamlined experience for residents and businesses. Essential services continue uninterrupted, traditional services have been reinvigorated, digital platforms have been enhanced and in-person programs and services have been modified or are now offered virtually -- either through online, teleconference or over the phone. These ways -- and more -- are how the City continues to deliver Service Excellence throughout the global pandemic.

RECREATION SERVICES
A series of virtual programs are underway to keep kids active, engaged, educated and entertained from the safety of home. As of Tuesday, Oct. 13, City instructors have been livestreaming popular recreational programs remotely via Zoom, including STEM, French, chess, dance, sports and leadership/volunteerism. A series of educational and music programs are also available for individuals with special needs.

From Tuesday, Oct. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 31, the department is offering online Halloween one-day programs for children and youth ages six to 15, so they can celebrate the holiday from the safety of home. Programs include a Halloween make-up tutorial; no-carve pumpkin decorating; and a ‘Halloweekend Party,’ which features a virtual haunted house, costume contest, dancing, scavenger hunt and creepy crafts. A modified version of the ‘Halloweekend Party’ will also be led by integration counsellors for children with special needs. Programs are 1.5 hours in length and cost $8.

Pre-registration for virtual recreation programs is required and available at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. For assistance or additional details, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email reccsd@vaughan.ca.

Frequent enhancements are also made to the Recreation department’s webpage featuring virtual recreation resources for all ages, abilities and areas of interest. Popular resources include:

• Vaughan Playschool educational reading, writing, math and science worksheets for children aged three to five years old.
• easy-to-follow at-home workouts from Vaughan Fitness instructors featured on Recreation Services’ Instagram TV. Full-length classes are also posted to the Recreation Vaughan YouTube channel.
• general activities such as cooking, arts and crafts, colouring and more.

VAUGHAN PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Vaughan Public Libraries’ (VPL) three resource libraries remain open -- Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library -- under strict health and safety protocols. Although all in-library programs remain cancelled until January 2021, the fully digital library service continues to be enhanced to engage and educate residents of all ages. The web hub features a variety of free online resources, including eBooks and audiobooks, films and television programs, music streaming services, e-learning courses, bilingual materials and more. Additional content, such as virtual story time, is available daily on VPL’s Instagram. Wi-Fi has been extended to reach into the parking lot of VPL’s three resource libraries for customer use.

The Curbside Pickup program will continue to operate out of the remaining closed branches to provide customers with quick and convenient access. Reserve books and arrange a pick-up date at vaughanpl.info/curbside.

VPL has also eliminated overdue fines, which are charged for the late return of library materials. No future overdue fines will be applied and all overdue fines currently on record will be automatically pardoned.

EVENTS
Some events are resuming virtually, including Vaughan Celebrates Concerts in the Park, Culture Days and the annual Remembrance Day event, among others. Virtual public engagement opportunities are also in the works for city-building projects. Visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more.

COUNCIL MEETINGS
Electronic-participation Committee of the Whole and Council meetings are continuing throughout October. Upcoming agendas can be viewed at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings. While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public, visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more about how to participate virtually, including speaking live to Council via teleconference or telephone. Email or written communications are also accepted. Citizens can watch the meetings by tuning in to the live broadcast at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.

BUSINESS SUPPORTS

• Virtual programs and new services are being offered to further support local businesses, including:
• information on resources available from other levels of government to support business, which can be found at vaughanbusiness.ca/covid.
• the vaughanbusiness.ca website with a dedicated COVID-19 information page.
• virtual business advisory services to support with registering a business, business planning, accessing government assistance programs and more. Local businesses can access these services through this online form.
• sector-specific eNewsletters to keep businesses up to date on government announcements, funding and relevant programming. Businesses can subscribe here.
• online resources such as the #ShopVaughanLocal campaign and the Open For Business webpage.
• access to all events and webinars hosted virtually for businesses across York Region via vaughanbusiness.ca/events.
• season two of the Vaughan Rising Podcast, which examines the resilience of Vaughan’s business community and talks to leaders who are pivoting, innovating and doing what it takes to make it through to the other side of the pandemic.
• the Activate!Vaughan Health Innovation Challenge, in partnership with the Province of Ontario, Mackenzie Health, the Mackenzie Innovation Institute, SE Health, Sterling Industries, The HUB and ventureLAB. Entrepreneurs participating in the program will present innovative business solutions that will deliver high-quality, effective and patient-focused care.
• virtual Small Business Week programs in partnership with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, ventureLAB, YSpace, Futurpreneur Canada and COSTI. Five virtual workshops, networking opportunities and tools will be offered during the week of Oct. 19 to help small businesses and entrepreneurs in their continued successes and navigate through challenges presented by COVID-19.
• To learn more about the many virtual programs and services available, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19.

 
HELP REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

• It is important that every citizen takes the following steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from new and emerging diseases:
• Stay home as much as possible.
• Practice physical distancing with anyone outside of your household by staying two metres away from everyone else.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• Practice respiratory etiquette.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Wear a face mask or covering when inside public places or when two metres of distance cannot be maintained between yourself and others (outside of your household).
• Clean high-touch surfaces often.
• Download the COVID-Alert app.