What you can and can't do in Markham as province reverts to modified stage 2 reopening plan

Indoor dining, sports and rec off the table under attempt to curb spread of Omicron variant

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 6, 2022
Heidi Riedner

Indoor dining, sports and recreation will be off the table in Markham as the province reverts back to a modified Step 2 reopening plan beginning Jan. 5.

The measure -- intended to protect hospital capacity and staffing levels as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads and as vaccine and booster delivery continues -- is expected to last at least 21 days subject to public health and health system indicators.

Step 2 measures that come into effect on Wednesday include the closure of indoor dining, gyms, theatres, limiting indoor social gatherings to five people and outdoor gatherings to 10, and 50 per cent capacity limit for weddings, funerals, religious services and retail settings.

Outdoor dining with restrictions, takeout, delivery and drive-thrus will still be permitted.

Capacity limits for personal care services, including hair and nail salons, will also be cut to 50 per cent.

As a result, city-owned community centres, indoor tennis facilities, indoor soccer domes, indoor arenas, indoor pools, fitness centres, the Markham Pan Am Centre, Markham Museum, Flato Markham Theatre and the Varley Art Gallery will be closed.

Markham Public Library locations will also be closed, except for the Aaniin, Markham Village, Thornhill Village and Unionville branches, which will remain open at 50 per cent capacity.

Virtual library, recreation and fitness and culture programs continue to be offered, however.

In addition, parks and trails, including off-leash dog parks, are open.

Outdoor city ice rinks including the Markham Civic Centre ice rink, as well as playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment remain available.

While Markham Recycling Depots are closed, textile recycling bins remain available.

The Markham Small Business Centre continues to offer virtual advice and assistance.

City services continue to be offered to residents and businesses virtually and in-person, with select services requiring in-person assistance requiring an appointment.

Visit markham.ca/covid19 for more information.