Preparing to reopen!
Following the Province’s announcement that Ontario will be cautiously and gradually easing public health measures, the City of Vaughan will be reopening its community centres, fitness centres, swimming pools and Community Libraries at 50 per cent capacity on Monday, Jan. 31. Reopening at Al Palladini Fitness Centre will be delayed until Thursday, Feb. 3 due to flooring installation.
Vaughan Public Libraries
Community Libraries will be reopening at a reduced capacity to ensure physical distancing. The three Resource Libraries continue to remain open. For the safety of the community and staff, all pre-existing public health measures remain in place, including a requirement to wear masks and to observe physical distancing. Vending machines and study rooms are unavailable at this time. Maple Library remains closed due to ongoing renovations.
Vaughan Fitness Centres
When the centres reopen, pre-registration to workout will not be required. Fitness centres have a new, digital scan in process for you. A membership key tag is required to gain access to the fitness centre. To obtain a membership key tag, visit the Customer Service desk.
Fitness classes will begin Monday, Jan. 31, with pre-registration available at vaughan.perfectmind.com starting Thursday, Jan. 27 at 8:30 a.m. Fitness members are advised to reactivate their membership in advance as this is required to access the fitness centre or pool; otherwise, the single-visit fee will be applied. To reactivate your membership, email RecCSD@vaughan.ca or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit your local community centre.
Aquatics
Recreational swim, length and aquafitness classes will begin Monday, Jan. 31 at 50 per cent capacity, with pre-registration available at vaughan.perfectmind.com starting Thursday, Jan. 27 at 8:30 a.m. Participants in swim lessons will be contacted starting Saturday, Feb. 5 to confirm participation. Pool members are advised to reactivate their membership in advance. Limited spots will be available for walk-ins. To reactivate your membership, email RecCSD@vaughan.ca or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit your local community centre.
Registered recreation programs and swim lessons
In-person winter recreation programs and swim lessons will start on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 50 per cent capacity for a shortened session. Registered participants will be contacted regarding program details, and fees will be pro-rated and participants automatically refunded to the same method of payment where payment information is available on your account.
To add or update financial information on your account, please follow these simple steps:
- Select 'My Info', and select the customer for whom you are uploading financial information
- Scroll down to 'Finance Info'.
- To add new details, select 'New' and follow the prompts.
- To use this credit card as your default for pre-authorized payments, check off ‘Default’
In-person and virtual
P.A. Day programs will be available on Friday, Feb. 4.
Drop-in programs
In-person drop-in activities, including skating and shinny hockey, sports, and game rooms , will be available at reduced capacity and is based on staffing availability. Pre-registration and pre-payment is available at vaughan.perfectmind.com starting Thursday, Jan. 27 at 8:30 a.m. Limited spots will be available for walk-ins. Community centres are cashless; payment can be made at customer service via credit or debit.
Permits
Permits will resume and permit holders must adhere to the capacity limit of 50 per cent of facility. Spectator areas are also limited to 50 per cent capacity.
Older adult clubs
Older adult clubs will resume on Monday, Jan. 31, with reduced capacity limits in effect. Recreation Services is connecting with club executives to determine programming and schedules.
Customer Services Desk
The Customer Services Desk will be available to assist residents pre-register for programs where required as well as sell garbage tags and recycle bins.
Additional provincial COVID-19 safety measures that will come into effect on Monday, Jan. 31, include:
- increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
- increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to:
- restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
- retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)
- shopping malls
- non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
- cinemas
- meeting and event spaces
- recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks
- museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions
- casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
- religious services, rites or ceremonies
- allowing spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues and theatres to operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less
Enhanced proof of vaccination and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
To keep the community safe, York Region Public Health is asking residents to follow this advice:
- Stay home as much as possible and limit close contact to those in your immediate household.
- Practise physical distancing with anyone outside of your household by staying two metres away from everyone else.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
- Practise respiratory etiquette.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Wear a face mask or covering when inside public places and when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Clean high-touch surfaces often.
- Download the COVID-Alert app.
PROOF OF VACCINATION
All patrons visiting a City community centre must present the Province of Ontario’s enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code. Download it by visiting https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/, or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have your vaccine certificate mailed.
The following proof of identification is acceptable for those aged 18 years and older (note: photo ID is not required) –
- Birth certificate
- Citizenship card
- Driver’s licence
- Government (Ontario or other) issued identification card, including health card
- Indian Status Card/Indigenous Membership Card
- Passport
- Permanent Resident card
All individuals aged 12 years and older who are entering an indoor municipal recreation facility, where organized sports are played and/or practiced, must provide identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or a valid medical exemption. In-person campers aged 12 years old must comply with this directive.
The following proof of identification is acceptable for those aged 12 to 17 years:
- Documentation issued by an institution or public body provided it includes their name and date of birth
- Examples include:
- Health card
- Library card
- Student ID
Also, children turning 12 years of age in 2022 will have a grace period of 12 weeks – or three months – from their birthday in which they will not need to show proof of vaccination at indoor sports and recreation facilities. This will allow those who are turning 12 years old to have enough time to get vaccinated.
Individuals who are unable to be fully vaccinated because they have an active medical exemption will need to show their enhanced vaccine certificate with official QR code, along with a piece of ID. A written medical exemption is no longer accepted to access businesses and organizations that require proof of vaccination. To obtain a medical exemption, individuals must:
- ask an Ontario physician or registered nurse in the extended class to submit their exemption request directly to the public health unit where the issuer’s practice is located
- once the exemption is accepted and entered into COVaxON by the public health unit, individuals will be able to access their enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code through the COVID-19 vaccination portal
VACCINATIONS
Every eligible individual is encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Many convenient options and locations are available within York Region to receive a vaccine by walking in or booking an appointment. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine for the latest information.
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 the virus, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
For more information, visit the City’s COVID-19 webpage at vaughan.ca/COVID19.
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