There is still work to be done!

Oct. 13, 2020 10:00 a.m.
City urges citizens to stay vigilant in the fight against COVID-19
 
Although progress has been made in the fight against COVID-19, there is still more work to be done to combat the second wave of this deadly virus. The City of Vaughan is reminding citizens that everyone has a role to play in stopping the spread.
 
To continue to keep the community safe, York Region Public Health is asking residents to follow this advice:
  • Stay home as much as possible.
  • Practice physical distancing with anyone outside of your household by staying two metres away from everyone else.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
  • Practice respiratory etiquette.
  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
  • Wear a face mask or covering when inside public places or when two metres of distance cannot be maintained between yourself and others (outside of your household).
  • Clean high-touch surfaces often.
  • Download the COVID-Alert app. 
It is important to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 and seek assessment and testing if necessary. If you have any severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911.
 
Vaughan continues to take a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to the pandemic. In fact, Vaughan was the first city in Ontario and the first municipality in York Region to declare a state of emergency.
 
A TIMELINE OF VAUGHAN’S RESPONSE
  • On Saturday, March 14, the City closed all community centres and library branches in response to COVID-19. The closure also extended to events, all community centre permits/rentals, recreational programming, swimming pools, arenas and fitness facilities as well as the City Playhouse Theatre.
  • On Tuesday, March 17, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua formally declared a state of emergency in Vaughan, making it the first city in Ontario to do so. The state of emergency remains in place.
  • On Wednesday, March 18, Vaughan City Hall and all remaining City facilities closed to the public.
  • On Saturday, March 21, the City advised members of the public to avoid any public playgrounds and other high-touch surfaces in parks as they are not sanitized. Signs were installed in all parks with playgrounds throughout the community directing residents to stay off the equipment. 
  • On Wednesday, March 25, the City closed all remaining facilities within City parks to the public as a further precautionary measure. This included sports fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, the dog park and any other amenities.
  • On Thursday, May 14, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua announced the City had chosen to keep park facilities closed to keep the community safe and healthy despite the provincial government allowing for some facilities to reopen.
  • On Friday, June 12, the City reopened public tennis courts, skateboard parks, the dog park and parking lots.
  • On Friday, June 19, the City reopened a number of additional park facilities, including picnic tables, benches, soccer fields and ball diamonds (excluding premium and artificial), and basketball and bocce courts.
  • On Friday, June 26, the City reopened splashpads and public washrooms.
  • On Friday, July 24, playgrounds reopened in Vaughan.
  • On Monday, Aug. 10, Vaughan Fitness Centres reopened at reduced hours and capacity.
  • On Monday, Aug. 17, select in-person fitness classes resumed.
  • On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Maple, North Thornhill and Vellore Village pools reopened for recreational and length swimming and aquafitness classes by appointment. Vaughan Fitness Centre hours were extended to full days. Vaughan Public Libraries reopened three of its resource branches – Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library – with regular hours, amended services and safety procedures in place.
  • On Monday, Sept. 14, Al Palladini, Father E. Bulfon and Garnet A. Williams pools reopened for recreational and length swimming and aquafitness classes by appointment.
  • On Monday, Sept. 21, Chancellor, Dufferin Clark and Woodbridge pools reopened for recreational and length swimming and aquafitness classes by appointment.
  • Other City facilities – including Vaughan City Hall, the Joint Operations Centre and the City Playhouse Theatre – remain closed to the public until further notice. 
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. Residents can also visit:
-30-
All News