Lockdown: What Grey Monday means from Town of Newmarket's position

“Please everyone, let’s continue to come together," urges Mayor Taylor

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 14, 2020
John Cudmore

Lock it down, people.

With the announcement Dec. 11 by the Ontario government that York Region is entering the Grey-lockdown zone, the Town of Newmarket has responded with guidelines for citizens to follow.

A statement released late Friday afternoon said most municipal buildings and programs will be closed and cancelled. The exception is the Newmarket Public Library which will operate with strict protocols in place.

York Region is moving into the most restrictive phase of the provincial government’s pandemic response for at least 28 days starting Dec. 14 at 12:01 a.m.

“This is going to be another very difficult time for our community and particularly for our local businesses who have had an incredibly tough and unpredictable year,” said Newmarket Mayor John Taylor in the statement. “Please everyone, let’s continue to come together and do our part by staying vigilant with physically distancing, wearing masks, handwashing and doing whatever we can to demonstrate our unwavering support for our businesses through this unprecedented holiday season.”

The measures are in line with the provincial government’s direction to protect public health and safety by trying to limit the transmission of COVID-19.

Toronto and Peel Region also remain in the lockdown zone.

Here are some key points in the town’s statement:

During the lockdown, indoor organized public events and social gatherings are not permitted, except with members of the same household.

Outdoor organized public events or social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people.

With outdoor activities permitted as part of the Grey zone, outdoor skating at Riverwalk Commons will continue as scheduled. Strict health and safety measures and capacity limits are in place.

Participants are required to pre-book their skate time in advance. Learn more at newmarket.ca/riverwalkcommons.

The Newmarket Public Library is permitted to remain open.

A maximum of 10 visitors will be allowed entry and stay for a maximum of 30 minutes per day.

More information is available at newmarketpl.ca.

Newmarket trails, parks and playgrounds will remain open and residents are encouraged to use them while following provincial health and safety measures.

Indoor and outdoor dining is prohibited. Takeout and delivery options are permitted.

Retail is generally permitted to be open for curbside pickup or delivery only, with some exceptions.

Visit newmarket.ca/ChooseLocal for more info.

As all buildings and facilities remain closed, the municipality continues to offer alternative ways to serve the community.

Customer service associates are available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help guide and assist residents. They can be accessed by emailing info@newmarket.ca or calling 905-895-5193.

For after-hours service, call 905-895-5193 and press 3.

Other essential services provided by the municipality that will continue to operate include water and wastewater services, waste and recycling pickup, general maintenance of town-maintained roads, sidewalks and trails, Central York Fire Services (emergency services).

For more information on the what’s open and closed in Newmarket, visit newmarket.ca/reopen.

For more information on COVID-19 in York Region, visit york.ca/covid19 or ontario.ca/coronavirus.

For more information about the grey zone and the other colour zones, please view the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework.