Declaring Santa essential service? Here is how the lockdown affecting York Region

Here is a rundown of how municipalities responded or have previously acted

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 24
Dina Al-Shibeeb

A day after Christmas, the entirety of the province of Ontario is going to be in lockdown, starting Saturday, Dec. 26 at 12:01 am.

However, on Dec. 11 the Ontario government already announced that York Region was entering the Grey-lockdown zone for 28 days starting Dec. 14. In addition, together with the rest of southern Ontario, York Region will remain in shutdown until Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.

So how is the new announcement affecting York Region once again? Here we've compiled each municipality's reaction.  We will update the list as changes happen.

1- Vaughan says to ‘remain vigilant’

Vaughan reiterated that it will “remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19” following the Dec. 11 announcement. “As a result of the City’s disciplined, measured and responsible approach to COVID-19, the Province’s lockdown announcement has limited impact on facilities.”

“We will communicate any further service changes, if required,” the City told the Vaughan Citizen in case of any upcoming cancellations or changes.

However here is what we have:

• Swimming pools and arenas will close temporarily effective Monday, Dec. 14. Refunds will be issued automatically to all registered participants and permit holders without penalty during this closure. All memberships will be extended for the duration of the closure.

• Vaughan’s facilities -- including City Hall and the Joint Operations Centre -- will remain closed to the public until June 2021, at the earliest.

• Recreational  services and programs will continue online, as “they have since the beginning of the pandemic, with modifications and online.”

• Based on the Province’s lockdown announcement, Vaughan Public Libraries’ (VPL) three resource libraries -- Bathurst Clark, Civic Centre and Pierre Berton -- will be open for hold pickup and computer use in the foyer only.

Staff will also continue to provide essential photocopy, WebPrint and email to print services as well as issue library cards. The current lockdown measures do not affect curbside pickup, which will continue to be offered at VPL’s seven community branches. Customers can place a hold as usual and can seamlessly arrange pickup at a library of their choice. For more information on this service, visit vaughanpl.info/curbside.

Vaughan also said York Region Public Health is asking residents to follow this advice, and other guidelines including:

• Stay home as much as possible and limit close contact to those in your immediate household.

• Practise physical distancing with anyone outside of your household by staying two metres away from everyone else.

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often.

• Practise respiratory etiquette.

• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

• Wear a face mask or covering when inside public places and when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Clean high-touch surfaces often.
• Download the COVID-Alert app.

2- Markham: Province-wide shutdown added further restrictions

Markham spelled out the change brought by the province-wide lockdown.

“The Province-wide Shutdown has added further restrictions that must also be observed,” Markham said on Dec. 21.

Gathering limits for organized public events and social gatherings remain as follows:

• Indoor: 0 (limit interactions to those in your household)

• Outdoor: 10 people maximum (while keeping a safe distance)

• Weddings, funerals, religious services: 10 people indoors or outdoors (while keeping a safe distance)

These gathering limits do not apply to members of a single household. An individual who lives alone may also gather exclusively with one other household. Individuals should limit travel to essential trips only.

No matter where you live in the Province, celebrate the holidays safely by celebrating in person with the people you live with only and celebrating virtually with everyone else.

Return to school changes in January:

• All publicly funded and private elementary schools in York Region will be offering remote learning only the week of January 4, 2020. In-person learning will resume on January 11, 2020

• All publicly funded and private secondary schools in York Region will be offering remote learning beginning the week of January 11, 2020. In-person learning will resume on January 25, 2020

The following activities and locations remain closed:

• All indoor and outdoor dining, including patios. Take-out, drive-thru and delivery options remain available and are strongly encouraged to support local businesses

• 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

• Meeting and event spaces except for childcare, court services, government services and social services

• All non-essential retail, except for curbside pick-up or delivery

• Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping

• Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping

• Convenience stores, hardware stores, safety supply stores, pharmacies, and stores that sell liquor, including beer, wine and spirits, are permitted to remain open

• All 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.

3- Whitchurch-Stouffville facilities closed

In line with the Dec. 14 shutdown, all of Whitchurch-Stouffville’s facilities are now closed for a minimum of 28 days. The town will be offering the following alternative services:

The Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library will offer curbside pickup on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Items can be placed on hold using the library catalogue at wsplibrary.ca and pickup will be at the main doors to the Leisure Centre.

The Leisure Centre will offer virtual programming via townofws.ca/wsplayonline.

The Museum and Community Centre will offer virtual programming, which can be found at townofws.ca/museum.

The lockdown is going to be a very difficult time for our community -- for individuals, families and businesses,” Mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville Iain Lovatt said. “Now more than ever, our local restaurants and retailers need us. Please visit www.L4A.ca for more information on how you can support our local businesses and community at this time.”

The lockdown restrictions require the closure of indoor and outdoor dining and drinking in bars and restaurants, indoor shopping in non-essential retail stores and malls, and personal care services. Indoor organized public events and social gatherings must be limited to members of the same household.

4- Richmond Hill: Strict measures ‘already in place’

Richmond Hill explained how most of the strict measures have "already been in place" in York Region.

A message from Richmond Hill's Mayor Dave Barrow said on Dec. 21 that the provincial announcement means that “many of the measures already in place in York Region and other areas will be extended across Ontario, beginning on Boxing Day.”

Barrow explained:

• Such as restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household.

• Prohibiting in-person shopping in most retail settings, curbside pickup and delivery can continue.

• Discount and six box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping.

• Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping.

• Restricting  indoor access to shopping malls, patrons may only go to designed indoor pick up areas by appointment only.

• Prohibiting of indoor and outdoor dining.

• Online learning only for elementary schools from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8 and for secondary schools from Jan. 4 to Jan. 25.

Here is a list of cancellations and closures that went into effect on Dec. 14 in Richmond Hill

• Recreational swimming will be cancelled and pools closed

• Winter Break Adventure Programs are cancelled

• In-person drop-in Recreation Programs are cancelled

• Registration for in-person Winter 2021 Recreation Programs is paused

• All community centres will be closed

• Tom Graham and Ed Sackfield Arenas will be closed (except to high performance athletes, including parasport athletes in accordance with provincial regulations)

• Blackmore Tennis Club will be closed

• All in-person AMPS hearings will be cancelled

Additionally, starting Dec. 28, library locations will be open for pre-booked, curbside pickup and external drop box returns only. A variety of services, including eBooks, programs and more, remain available online. Visit the library website for current branch hours and the latest updates.

5- Aurora espouses Christmas spirit, declares Santa Claus an essential service

Aurora made no new announcement about the province-wide lockdown, since like other York Region municipalities, it’s already adhering to the strict lockdown guidelines.

However, Aurora on Dec. 17 announced that Sana Claus is an essential service.

“On Wednesday, Dec. 16, Federal Transportation Minister, Marc Garneau issued a statement that declared Santa Claus as an essential service in Canada and cleared him for travel throughout Canada on Christmas Eve,” the City of Aurora said on its website.

“Aurora Town Council are happy to follow the direction of the Federal Government and confirm that Santa and his reindeer will be able to visit all of the children in Aurora this coming Christmas,” the city said, expressing its sense of humour and joliness for the holiday amid this pandemic.

Aurora admitted how “this year has been challenging for everyone, including Santa.”

“But we are excited to know that Santa will still be able to spread Christmas cheer across our Town for all of our residents, regardless of age, this upcoming Holiday Season.”

6- Newmarket Public Library allows 10 visitors in

From its Dec. 11 announcement, Newmarket said all its buildings, facilities and in-person programs will be closed/cancelled as of Monday, Dec. 14 for a minimum of 28 days, with the exception of the Newmarket Public Library. All virtual programming will proceed as scheduled.

The Newmarket Public Library is also permitted to remain open under the Province's framework. 10 visitors will be allowed to enter at a time and stay for a maximum of 30 minutes per day with strict health and safety measures in place. Learn more at newmarketpl.ca

During the lockdown zone, 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 to reopen tonight at 5 p.m. as scheduled, with strict health and safety measures and capacity limits in place. Participants are required to pre-book their skate time in advance, learn more at newmarket.ca/riverwalkcommons

Newmarket trails, parks and playgrounds will remain open and residents are encouraged to use them while following all health and safety measures as outlined by the province.

Newmarket's First Night event is cancelled.

7- East Gwillimbury allows up to 5 people in its libraries, 'no team play'

East Gwillimbaruyy said it will continue to prepare plans in-line with Provincial and York Region Public Health Officials’ recommendations to ensure safe access to municipal facilities.

On its website, it said:

• During the lockdown-grey level, all town recreation facilities remain closed to the public and all in-person programs are cancelled. View the Health & Active Living Guide for a full list of virtual programming.

• Both library branches will remain open for up to 5 people to access to computers for up to 1-hour, checkout services and for curbside pickup. Please complete the online Curbside Pickup Request Form or call your local branch. Staff will be available to assist visitors with finding material as they will not be permitted to handle books or material on the shelves. For more information, visit www.egpl.ca.

The municipality also explained there won't be any "team play."

“Amenities are open for individual/household use only. No team play is permitted unless it is with members of the same household,” it said.  “Anyone using these amenities must maintain a minimum two metre physical distance from others,” it added.

Other guidelines includes:

• Be sure to follow proper hygiene including hand washing or sanitizing before and after use.

• Do not share sport equipment with others.

• When biking, skateboarding, or using a scooter be sure to keep a minimum of five metres distance from others.

• Please avoid congregating and leave immediately after playing.

8-  Georgina facilities remain closed

Civic Centre and recreation facilities will be closed to the public and all in-person recreation programs are cancelled.

Georgina parks, trails and playgrounds remain open. The ROC will remain closed under the provincewide lockdown. But toboggan hills and outdoor skating are open.

Georgina parks, trails and playgrounds will remain open. Residents are able to use them while following all health and safety measures as outlined by the province.

The Georgina Public Library will revert back to curbside pickup starting Dec. 29. Blue boxes, green bins and garbage tags will not be available to purchase.

Residents are reminded they can help stop the spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with anyone other than members of your household

• Maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from others

• Wear a mask or face covering

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often

• Stay home if you’re sick, even with mild symptoms

For the latest information, news and updates on COVID-19 in Georgina, visit georgina.ca/COVID-19.

9- King

King is adhering to the lockdown measures following the Dec. 11 announcement.