COVID-19: UrbanToronto Updates from the Industry for June 30, 2021: Vaughan moving into Step 2

Urbantoronto.ca
July 2, 2021

The global COVID-19 pandemic is having far-reaching effects in Toronto, including major impacts on the real estate and building industries. As a means to keep the public in the loop about the shutdowns, we'll be sharing information and status updates from around the industry on a regular basis.

In today's report: Vaughan moving into Step 2

The City continues its disciplined, measured and responsible approach in responding to COVID-19 as York Region -- and Vaughan -- moves into Step 2 of the Province of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening today.

This is good news for local book lovers. Vaughan Public Libraries’ three resource branches -- Bathurst Clark, Civic Centre and Pierre Berton -- will open with 25 per cent capacity starting Friday, July 2. The curbside pickup program will continue at most other branches.

Also, permitted in the Province’s Step 2:

• Essential and other select retail permitted at 50 per cent capacity
• Non-essential retail permitted at 25 per cent capacity
• Personal care services, where face coverings can be worn at all times, at 25 per cent capacity with other restrictions
• Outdoor dining for up to six people per table, with exceptions for larger households and other restrictions
• Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, permitted at up to 25 per cent capacity of the particular room
• Outdoor fitness classes limited to the number of people who can maintain three metres of physical distance
• Outdoor sports without contact or modified to avoid contact, with no specified limit on number of people or teams participating, with restrictions
• Overnight camps for children operating in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
• Outdoor sport facilities with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity
• Outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas, with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity
• Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways, with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity
• Outdoor fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals, permitted at 25 per cent capacity and with other restrictions

Effective today, indoor social gatherings and organized public events are permitted for up to five people. Capacity for outdoor social gatherings and organized public events will be increased to 25 people.

In addition, the following outdoor City amenities remain open:

• Baseball fields
• Off-leash dog park
• Outdoor in-person fitness classes
• Playgrounds
• Skateboard parks
• Sports fields
• Splashpads
• Tennis, bocce and basketball courts
• Thornhill outdoor pool
• Uplands Golf and Ski Club

Advance registration is required for use of the City’s outdoor pool and in-person outdoor fitness classes. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/recreation.

The City is reminding citizens to make safety the priority when enjoying all Vaughan has to offer, including using park amenities and playgrounds -- they are not sanitized. It is important that everyone stays vigilant and follows York Region Public Health protocols designed to help protect the health of the entire community, including:

• staying home as much as possible and limiting close contact to those in your immediate household.
• practising physical distancing (PDF) with anyone outside of your household by staying two metres away.
• washing your hands thoroughly and often.
• practising respiratory etiquette.
• avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands.
• wearing a face mask or covering when inside public places and when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• cleaning high-touch surfaces often.
• getting vaccinated as soon as you are eligible.
• downloading the COVID-Alert app.

For a complete list of the Provincial restrictions and resources, please visit ontario.ca/COVID19. For information on City services and amenities, please visit vaughan.ca/COVID19.

As some amenities begin to safely reopen, the City continues to make the health and safety of the community a priority to stop the spread of COVID-19. On this front, 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. Public complaints, concerns and inquiries should be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.

QUOTE

"Today, we moved to Step 2 of the Province's Roadmap to Reopening, which means more businesses can reopen with greater capacity and gathering restrictions can loosen. This is wonderful news for everyone who lives and works in Vaughan. I want to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to our citizens who have demonstrated great discipline, focus and dedication in our collective fight against COVID-19. We are making significant progress in getting vaccines into arms while stopping the spread of the virus. More -than one-million vaccines have been administered in York Region, and, to date, more than 75 per cent of all eligible individuals aged 12+ have received at least one dose. However, we must not forget we are in a marathon, not a sprint. Discipline will bring us to the finish line. The Vaughan spirit is ready, resilient and resourceful. I remain confident that by working together and supporting each other, we will emerge stronger."
-      Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua