Moving Vaughan into Step 1
COVID-19 Updates
City of Vaughan news is released on a daily basis and kept on vaughan.ca for reference purposes. For the most recent updates and news as they happen, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
What citizens need to know as Ontario begins to reopen
As York Region – and Vaughan – moves into Step 1 of the Province of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening today, the City continues its disciplined, measured and responsible approach to COVID-19.
As York Region – and Vaughan – moves into Step 1 of the Province of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening today, the City continues its disciplined, measured and responsible approach to COVID-19.
The following amenities and services will be reopening effective Monday, June 14:
- Thornhill outdoor pool
- In-person outdoor fitness classes
- Lobby service at Vaughan Public Libraries three Resource Libraries (Bathurst Clark, Civic Centre and Pierre Berton)
Registration in advance is required for use of the outdoor pool and in-person outdoor fitness classes. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/recreation.
In addition, the following outdoor amenities are currently open:
- Tennis, bocce and basketball courts
- Sports fields
- Baseball fields
- Skateboard parks
- Splashpads
- Uplands Golf and Ski Club
Also permitted in the Province’s Step 1:
- Essential retail capacity increased to 25 per cent (including discount and big box)
- Non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity
- Retail stores in malls are closed unless the stores have a street-facing entrance
- Outdoor dining for up to four people per table
- Outdoor sports, fitness and personal training for up to 10 people
- Campsites and campgrounds
- Overnight camping at Ontario Parks
- Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of two metres
- Indoor religious services, rites and ceremonies including weddings and funerals at 15 per cent capacity of the room
The outdoor limit for social gatherings and organized public events will be increased to 10 people effective today – Friday, June 11.
The City is reminding citizens to make safety the priority when enjoying all Vaughan has to offer, including using reopened park amenities and playgrounds – they are not sanitized. It is important that everyone stays vigilant and follows York Region Public Health protocols designed to help protect the health of the entire community, including:
- staying home as much as possible and limiting close contact to those in your immediate household.
- practising physical distancing (PDF) with anyone outside of your household by staying two metres away.
- washing your hands thoroughly and often.
- practising respiratory etiquette.
- avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands.
- wearing a face mask or covering when inside public places and when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- cleaning high-touch surfaces often.
- getting vaccinated as soon as you are eligible.
- downloading the COVID-Alert app.
For a complete list of the Provincial restrictions and resources, please visit ontario.ca/COVID19. For information on City services and amenities, please visit vaughan.ca/COVID19.
As some amenities begin to safely reopen, the City continues to make the health and safety of the community a priority to stop the spread of COVID-19. On this front, the City's By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services department, in partnership with public health officials, York Regional Police and other levels of government, remains at the forefront in applying and enforcing the provincial regulations passed under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA), the directions of the Medical Officer of Health and the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Measures By-law. To remain vigilant in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 transmissions, enforcement and education efforts have been increased across the city. There will be a heightened by-law enforcement presence in the community. Public complaints, concerns and inquiries should be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
QUOTE
"Today, we advanced to Step 1 of the Province's Roadmap to Reopening. This is welcome news for our city, and, indeed, it would not be possible without the discipline, focus and dedication demonstrated by our citizens. Their ongoing efforts have brought us to this point, and now, hope is on the horizon. From the onset of the pandemic, my priority has been to ensure the health and safety of everyone who lives and works in Vaughan. The COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving, and the City of Vaughan will continue to take a disciplined, responsible and measured approach in our response efforts. COVID-19 case counts are going in the right direction while vaccination rates continue to rise. To date, more than 75 per cent of all adults in York Region have received at least one dose. We are making significant progress in getting vaccines into arms while stopping the spread of the virus. However, we must not forget we are in a marathon, not a sprint. Discipline will bring us to the finish line. The Vaughan spirit is ready, resilient and resourceful. I remain confident that by working together and supporting each other, we will emerge stronger."
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- Vaughan was the first city in Ontario and the first municipality in York Region to declare a state of emergency on March 17, 2020.
- A Ready, Resilient, Resourceful Roadmap has been created and provides the key objectives and framework for the City’s response, mitigation and recovery related to the COVID-19 emergency.
- Throughout the pandemic, the City of Vaughan has ensured quality services are delivered for families, businesses and all citizens. The priority remains the health, safety and well-being of everyone that lives and works in the community.
- Citizens are encouraged to report any COVID-19 violations through Access Vaughan by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. All recorded cases are directed to the By-law department for investigation in priority sequence.
- Those who feel unwell, and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
LEARN MORE
- City of Vaughan COVID-19 webpage
- York Region website
- Province of Ontario website
- Government of Canada website
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