*Please see a media release below issued by the City of Burlington.
Burlington, Ont. — Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 — The Province announced Halton Region, including Burlington, will move into the Red (Control) Phase with additional restrictions to help control the spread of COVID-19. This takes effect on Monday, Nov. 16 and will be in place for a minimum of 28-days.
City of Burlington facilities and recreation programming can remain open with new restrictions in addition to ones already in place. Recreation Services staff are contacting user groups, renters and individuals affected by these changes.
“All recreational programming through City facilities will fully comply with Provincial and Halton Region Public Health directives. We will all work together to flatten the curve so we can safely and gradually return to regular programming. Our virtual programming is still running and is free at burlington.ca/activeathome. I recommend everyone to check out the videos and stay active and safe.” — Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation Services, City of Burlington
New restrictions for City facilities and recreation as a result of moving in the Red (Control) Phase include:
- 10 people maximum for indoor programs such as ice pads, gymnasiums, pools, etc.
- 25 people maximum for outdoor programs
- Drop-in recreation programs will have a maximum capacity of 10 people. This includes Aquatic Fitness, recreational swimming and skating, lap swims, etc.
- Swimming lessons and indoor pickleball are cancelled
- No spectators permitted at sports and recreational fitness facilities except for parent/guardian supervision of children
- All other program participants will receive targeted communication
These new restrictions will impact program providers in the following ways:
- For all team sport, indoor and outdoor game-play is no longer permitted
- Teams in City facilities and on City fields can adjust their programming to training and skill development with a maximum of 10 people indoor and 25 outdoor. Program participants are encouraged to reach out to their organization for additional information
- If you are a participant in a non-City program, please connect with your organization to understand how this may impact you
- No spectators permitted at sports and recreational fitness facilities except for parent/guardian supervision of children
- No contact permitted for team or individual sports
- Limit duration of stay to 90 minutes
- Require active screening, contact information and attendance for all patrons
- No live performances. Performing arts rehearsal or performing a recorded or broadcasted event permitted
- Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or other impermeable barrier
Existing restrictions that will remain for City facilities and recreation include:
- Physical distancing
- Mandatory face coverings
- Mandatory health pre-screening, pre-registration and online payment
Virtual programming, Active at Home is still available at burlington.ca/activeathome and offers a wide variety of activities.
Anyone with questions should follow-up with their sport provider or user group or you can call Recreation Services’ Customer service at 905-335-7738.
For more information about fall Recreation Programming or drop-in programs, visit burlington.ca/fall.
For information about COVID-19, visit burlington.ca/coronavirus.
MAYOR MEED WARD’S TAKE:
Today, the Province revised the thresholds for movement in its new COVID-19 Framework and moved Region of Halton into the Red (Control) level with additional restrictions to help control the spread of COVID-19. The new level allows most businesses to remain open with additional protocols and restrictions. I support this measure along with the new thresholds given the new and concerning modelling that was released this week. The Halton Mayors and Regional Chair had previously requested that any additional restrictions be based on transparent health indicators. The new data shows Halton meets the criteria for this change to a new level.
I continue to ask our residents to please follow the updated restrictions and guidelines from our Medical Officer of Health that include limiting social gatherings to household members, limiting outings to essential trips, and continuing to wear masks when social distancing is not possible.
Links and Resources:
- Mayor’s Statement: Halton Region Moves into Control Level; What it Means for You
- burlington.ca/fall
- burlington.ca/screening
- burlington.ca/coronavirus
- burlington.ca/activeathome
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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 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:
- Community questions and requests regarding City of Burlington services can be directed to Service Burlington by phone at 905-335-7777, by email at city@burlington.ca or online.
- Halton Region has created a Reopening Schools resource webpage for parents, students and teachers at halton.ca/covid19.
- For further COVID-19 information, including where to get tested, please visit Halton Region Public Health halton.ca/coronavirus
- Residents can stay informed at burlington.ca/coronavirus as well as on our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington
- Questions about the cancellation of Recreation programs can be directed to rentals@burlington.ca or liveandplay@burlington.ca or 905-335-7738
- City of Burlington: www.burlington.ca/coronavirus
- Resources for Residents & Non-Profit Organizations: www.burlington.ca/covid19resources.
- Halton Region: www.halton.ca/coronavirus
- Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
- Provincial Emergency Orders: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200052
- Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/coronavirus
- World Health Organization: www.who.int
- Joseph Brant Hospital: josephbranthospital.ca/covid-19
- Team Burlington Business Supports: burlingtonchamber.com/team-burl-supporting-burl-business-during-covid-19/
- Burlington Food Bank: call 905-637-CARE (2273), or visit burlingtonfoodbank.ca
- Food for Life: call 905-635-1106 and press 7, or visit foodforlife.ca
- Canadian Mental Health Association – Halton Branch: call 289-291-5396, or visit halton.cmha.ca
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*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist