Province Announces More COVID-19 Restrictions: Update on City services & Program Shutdowns to Flatten the 3rd Wave Curve

COVID-19
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*Administrator's Note: Since the original posting of this announcement, the Province of Ontario has allowed playgrounds to be open again -- all other outdoor amenities continue to be closed.--Following today's provincial government announcement of additional restrictions, I am calling an emergency Burlington City Council meeting for tomorrow at 10 a.m.As much as we were all hoping to be in a better place than we are now, a year into this pandemic, we’re still not out of the woods and our situation is worsening, with significant increases in new infections and hospitalizations. We understand  the need for additional measures to slow the spread of the virus.I also know residents are exhausted and anxious, and additional restrictions mean more sacrifices, when our community has given so much already for so long. We've all got to continue to hang on and do everything we can to stop this virus.Please continue to follow all health measures, not just for yourself and loved ones, but for our whole community.Below, you'll find a news release from the City with an update -- our staff is currently reviewing all of the additional provincial restrictions and will be updating Council and the public on the full impacts on City services and programs soon.Please also click this link to read the news release sent out by the provincial government.--Burlington, Ont. — April 16, 2021 — The Province has announced further restrictions to help control the spread of COVID-19, beginning Saturday, April 17 at 12:01 a.m. These stringent Provincial restrictions will be in place for all regions of Ontario, including Halton Region, as part of the Stay-at-Home Order.Both the provincial declaration of emergency and the Stay-at-Home order have been extended for an additional two weeks to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Stay-at-Home order currently in effect requires everyone to remain at home except for specified purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise, or for work that cannot be done remotely.Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has called an emergency meeting of council for 10 a.m. tomorrow morning, Saturday, April 17 that will be held virtually to make some immediate decisions. Council will receive additional COVID-19 updates at the regularly scheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 20 beginning at 1 p.m.Impacts to City services and programsCity HallCity Hall, located at 426 Brant St., will remain closed.Please visit burlington.ca/onlineservices to access a variety of City services online.For more information, contact Service Burlington during regular business hours at 905-335-7777 or city@burlington.ca.Burlington TransitBurlington Transit is an essential service and will continue to run as scheduled including specialized transit and trips to vaccination clinics. The transit terminal at 430 John St. will remain open to provide PRESTO services including SPLIT passes. Presto services are available at Shoppers Drug Mart or online at prestocard.ca. Transit schedules are available online at myride.burlingtontransit.ca.ParkingParking enforcement is limited to safety-related issues such as fire routes, accessible parking, no parking/stopping areas and blocked parked areas, including all parking lots at Tyandaga Golf Course. City parking time-limit restrictions have been relaxed to help those working from home or self-isolating. Parking permits and exemptions are not required until further notice. For more information on parking, visit www.burlington.ca/parking.Recreation Services, Parks, all Amenities and FacilitiesCity of Burlington facilities and recreation programming remain closed, and all indoor programs have been cancelled.Outdoor gatherings in all City parks, such as Spencer Smith Park, Lowville Park and Beachway Park, are limited to members of the same household. Those living alone may join one exclusive household.Outdoor recreation facility amenities are now closed, including playgrounds, golf course and all outdoor courts such as basketball, tennis, pickleball and soccer. Effective April 17 at 12:01 a.m., the City will be closing Tyandaga Golf Course and all playgrounds, courts and fields as per these most recent provincial restrictions.

  • Under provincial order, please be aware that you are not permitted to access any outdoor park facilities, such as:
    • playgrounds,
    • sports fields,
    • outdoor courts,
    • skate parks and
    • dog off-leash areas
  • If you need some fresh air and activity, it’s okay to walk, cycle or jog through your neighbourhood park, but please do not linger.
  • Please stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from everyone else in the park or on a trail.
  • Please take your waste home with you to dispose of it.

Options to stay active at home are available online at burlington.ca/activeathome.Roads, Parks and ForestryEssential services provided by the Roads, Parks and Forestry Department will continue as needed. Residents with questions or issues can email RPF@burlington.ca or call 905-333-6166.ConstructionNon-essential construction sites as defined under the Provincial emergency order will be put on hold and closed off for public safety until restrictions are lifted.Please stay home and only go out for exercise in your own neighbourhood and essentials such as groceries. Let’s continue to work together to keep each other safe from new variants. More than ever, we need to support our local healthcare heroes continue to care for those who need it and preserve hospital capacity.If you see something say something: Please call the COVID hotline at 905-825-4722. City bylaw officers and Halton Regional Police will be out enforcing those who are not following the Stay-at-Home orders.As the situation evolves and staff receives and reviews the updated order from the Province of Ontario, we will continue to comply and keep you informed on available essential services and what must be closed to keep City of Burlington staff and residents safe.Quick Facts

  • To report an incident in Halton of non-compliance with the provincial shutdown measures, please call the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 hotline at 905-825-4722.

Links and Resources

—PLEASE NOTE: To stay updated on what the City of Burlington is doing regarding COVID-19, please visit the dedicated pages burlington.ca/coronavirus (and subscribe) and bit.ly/mayormeedwardCOVID19updates, and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page — bit.ly/COVID19BurlingtonFAQ that are updated as new information becomes available.A consolidated page for information and updates on the work of the provincial Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force is available at bit.ly/COVIDVaccineUpdates.Halton Region has also created a dedicated COVID-19 Vaccine webpage at halton.ca/covidvaccines for up to date information on the status of our COVID19 vaccination program.A Burlington COVID-19 Task Force has been created to help support our community through this unprecedented emergency — updates will be provided at burlington.ca/COVID19taskforce.To report an incident of non-compliance with provincial emergency orders, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.We’ve also created a dedicated page to feature the local organizations and businesses that have inspired us during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking action to support our community in new and creative ways — head to bit.ly/covidwallofinspiration.HELPFUL RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS:

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