Georgina ends COVID-19 state of emergency

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 5, 2021

The town has official ended its state of emergency declared in March 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The emergency declaration aligned the town with the province, giving the mayor authority to implement the town’s emergency plan.

As vaccine rates in York Region continue to rise and COVID-19 case counts are more stable, it is time to end Georgina’s declaration of emergency, Mayor Margaret Quirk said.

“Throughout the past year and a half, the town placed the safety of staff and the community at the forefront,” she said.

“It has been a challenging time for our residents and businesses. We are not where we were a year ago when we had much higher COVID-19 case numbers. As we cautiously continue with our reopening plan, we must remember the pandemic is not over and to remain vigilant against the virus.”

By ending the state of emergency, the town’s Emergency Operations Centre will be deactivated, and senior town staff will continue to monitor the pandemic to ensure a continued and gradual reopening of town facilities.

“We had great success with the vaccination clinic that operated at the Georgina Ice Palace, allowing residents convenient access to be vaccinated. I want to commend and thank town staff who were dedicated to serving the community by working at the clinic,” added Quirk.

Recently, the town opened several facilities, including the Georgina Ice Palace, leisure pool and gym with strict COVID-19 protocols in place.

Residents are required to pre-register for both recreational and drop-in programs.

In keeping with the province’s vaccine certificate policy, the town also requires proof of vaccine for anyone 12 years and older to enter town facilities.

The town also has a mandatory vaccine policy, where all town staff are to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1.

Georgina's Civic Centre still remains closed to the public.

For more information, visit georgina.ca/COVID-19.