Vaughan closes fitness centers, swimming pools and some libraries due to staff shortages due to COVID-19

X99news.com
Jan. 4, 2022

The city of Vaughan is temporarily closing all of its fitness centers, swimming pools and some of its libraries due to staff shortages related to the pandemic.

The municipality announced this in a press release on Tuesday morning.

It says all of its fitness centers and swimming pools will close from Thursday, and recreational programming in community centers will also be canceled.

The city says that “decisions on personal winter recreation programs have not been made at this time and will be dependent on Omicron data and human resources.”

Meanwhile, Vaughan Public Libraries will also close its community branches from Thursday, although its three resource libraries -- Bathurst Clark, Civic Center and Pierre Berton -- will remain open for now.

Curbside pick-up also remains possible every day from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in closed branches.

The closure of a number of city facilities comes amid a spate of COVID-19 infections that are expected to pose new challenges for employers, given the large number of people who have to isolate themselves after testing positive or exposure to a confirmed case.

In the release, the city of Vaughan said it is “experiencing staff shortages due to COVID-19”, although it noted that essential services will remain “uninterrupted”.

“All decisions about closing and opening facilities and amenities will continue to be informed by Vaughan-specific data and will reflect guidelines from York Region Public Health and the county government -- ​​with public safety being the top priority,” the release notes said. “The City of Vaughan remains committed to continued collaboration with all levels of government as the pandemic develops, enabling the city to make informed, responsible and informed decisions to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”

It is not immediately clear when the facilities will open again. The city says payments from anyone with a membership to a city fitness center or swimming pool will be automatically suspended for the duration of the shutdown.