Lockdown: Markham outlines response to Grey zone designation

City services altered, most facilities closed starting Monday

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 14, 2020
John Cudmore

Black Friday. Cyber Monday.

Now it is Grey zone every day for at least a month.

The City of Markham joins the rest of York Region in entering the Grey zone after the Ontario provincial government ordered a state of lockdown Friday afternoon.

It is the highest level on the rating system implemented a few weeks ago to identify levels of action in the fight against COVID-19.

The provincial government said the policy goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 14 placing York Region at the same levels as neighbouring Toronto and Peel regions. It will remain in effect for at least 28 days.

City of Markham services are impacted as follows:

Community centres, arenas, pools, the Markham Museum and the Varley Art Gallery will be closed until further notice

In-person fitness activities have been suspended.

Markham Public Library will continue to offer virtual services and limited in-library services including holds pickups and returns.

Visit the Library’s website for hours and locations.

Markham Civic Centre will continue to operate by appointment only and all essential municipal services will continue to be offered.

Markham recycling depots will remain open with COVID-19 health and safety measures in place.

Visit the city website for hours of operation.

New restrictions for Markham will include:

Closing of all indoor and outdoor dining, including patios.

Takeout, drive-thru and delivery options remain available and are encouraged to support local businesses.

Closing of all indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms, subject to limited exceptions. Seasonal outdoor recreational facilities and amenities may remain open with some restrictions.

Closing of meeting and event spaces except for childcare, court services, government services and social services.

Closing all non-essential retail, except for curbside pick-up or delivery.

Large retailers with a grocery section can remain open at 50 per cent capacity. Convenience stores, hardware stores, safety supply stores, pharmacies, and stores that sell liquor, including beer, wine and spirits, are permitted to remain open.

Closing all personal services including hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and tattoo parlours.

Enhanced long-term care home visitor restrictions will remain in effect. Retirement homes will be on high alert with visitor restrictions as outlined in the Retirement Homes COVID-19 Visitor Policy. In addition, long-term care homes must implement recently enhanced testing requirements.  

During the pandemic, the municipality intends to provide fun, educational, creative, and active programs that are adapted to ensure the health and safety of participants at markham.ca/recreation.

The municipality’s actions are guided by the province’s new COVID-19 response framework and the City of Markham’s Response, Recovery and Reinvention Plan.