Vaughan moves to a modified Stage 2
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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, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the official corporate channels on and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
New and enhanced programs and services continue online as additional restrictions are put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19
The City of Vaughan continues to work with all levels of
government to implement precautionary measures to ensure public safety in
response to COVID-19. Effective Monday, Oct. 19, the Province of Ontario has announced
modified Stage 2 restrictions for the city of Vaughan and all of York Region
for 28 days.
As a
result, all City fitness centres will be closed
starting on Monday, Oct. 19. In-person fitness classes will be cancelled. However,
virtual fitness classes will
continue to be available via Zoom and YouTube. Fitness memberships will be put
on hold and extended for the duration of the closure. Swimming pools will
remain open for recreational and length swimming, as well as aquafitness, with
additional protocols, including reduced capacity; the number of people in the
pool at one time will be limited to 10. Pre-registration is required to use a City pool
and can be done at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. View pool guidelines,
the check-in procedure and schedules at vaughan.ca/swim.
Arenas will also remain open by permit only, however, the number of people on
the ice at one time will be limited to 10 with no spectators. Team sports will
be limited to training sessions only – no games and scrimmages.
The Province’s new restrictions for Vaughan and York Region
include a number of other targeted measures, and prohibit indoor food and drink
service in restaurants, bars and other establishments. For a complete list of
measures, read the Province’s news release.
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 avoid
further closures and remain vigilant in the fight to stop the spread of
COVID-19 transmissions, enforcement and education efforts have been increased
across the City. Greater attention and a more assertive, proactive approach to
enforcement are underway. Public complaints, concerns and inquiries should be
reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
Throughout COVID-19, many
virtual offerings have been introduced or enhanced to offer a new, efficient
and streamlined experience for residents and businesses. Essential services
continue uninterrupted, traditional services have been reinvigorated, digital
platforms have been enhanced and in-person programs and services have been
modified or are now offered virtually – either through online, teleconference
or over the phone. These ways – and more – are how the City continues to
deliver Service Excellence throughout the global pandemic.
RECREATION SERVICES
A series of virtual programs are underway
to keep kids active, engaged, educated and entertained from the safety of home.
As of Tuesday, Oct. 13, City instructors have been livestreaming popular
recreational programs remotely via Zoom, including STEM, French, chess, dance,
sports and leadership/volunteerism. A series of educational and music programs
are also available for individuals with special needs.
From Tuesday, Oct. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 31,
the department is offering online Halloween one-day programs for children and
youth ages six to 15, so they can celebrate the holiday from the safety of home.
Programs include a Halloween make-up tutorial; no-carve pumpkin decorating; and
a ‘Halloweekend Party,’ which features a virtual haunted house, costume
contest, dancing, scavenger hunt and creepy crafts. A modified version of the
‘Halloweekend Party’ will also be led by integration counsellors for children
with special needs. Programs are 1.5 hours in length and cost $8.
Pre-registration for virtual recreation
programs is required and available at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. For assistance or additional details, contact Access Vaughan at
905-832-2281 or email reccsd@vaughan.ca.
Frequent enhancements are also made to
the Recreation department’s webpage featuring virtual recreation resources for all ages, abilities and
areas of interest. Popular resources include:
- Vaughan Playschool educational reading, writing, math and science worksheets for children aged three to five years old.
- easy-to-follow at-home workouts from Vaughan Fitness instructors featured on Recreation Services’ Instagram TV. Full-length classes are also posted to the Recreation Vaughan YouTube channel.
- general activities such as cooking, arts and crafts, colouring and more.
VAUGHAN
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Vaughan
Public Libraries’ (VPL) three resource libraries remain open – Bathurst Clark
Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource
Library – under strict health and safety protocols. Although all in-library
programs remain cancelled until January 2021, the fully digital library service
continues to be enhanced to engage and educate residents of all
ages. The web hub features a variety of free online resources, including eBooks
and audiobooks, films and television programs, music streaming services,
e-learning courses, bilingual materials and more. Additional content, such as
virtual story time, is available daily on VPL’s Instagram. Wi-Fi has been
extended to reach into the parking lot of VPL’s three resource libraries for
customer use.
The Curbside Pickup program will continue to operate out of the
remaining closed branches to provide customers with quick and convenient
access. Reserve books and arrange a pick-up date at vaughanpl.info/curbside.
VPL has
also eliminated overdue
fines,
which are charged for the late return of library materials. No future overdue
fines will be applied and all overdue fines currently on record will be automatically
pardoned.
EVENTS
Some events are resuming virtually,
including Vaughan Celebrates Concerts in the Park, Culture Days and the annual Remembrance Day event, among others. Virtual public engagement
opportunities are also in the works for city-building projects. Visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more.
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Electronic-participation Committee of the Whole and Council
meetings are continuing throughout October. Upcoming agendas can be viewed at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings. While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public,
visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more about how to participate virtually,
including speaking live to Council via teleconference or telephone. Email or
written communications are also accepted. Citizens can watch the meetings by
tuning in to the live broadcast at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.
BUSINESS SUPPORTS
Virtual programs and new services are being
offered to further support local businesses, including:
- information on resources available from other levels of government to support business, which can be found at vaughanbusiness.ca/covid.
- the vaughanbusiness.ca website with a dedicated COVID-19 information page.
- virtual business advisory services to support with registering a business, business planning, accessing government assistance programs and more. Local businesses can access these services through this online form.
- sector-specific eNewsletters to keep businesses up to date on government announcements, funding and relevant programming. Businesses can subscribe here.
- online resources such as the #ShopVaughanLocal campaign and the Open For Business webpage.
- access to all events and webinars hosted virtually for businesses across York Region via vaughanbusiness.ca/events.
- season two of the Vaughan Rising Podcast, which examines the resilience of Vaughan’s business community and talks to leaders who are pivoting, innovating and doing what it takes to make it through to the other side of the pandemic.
- the Activate!Vaughan Health Innovation Challenge, in partnership with the Province of Ontario, Mackenzie Health, the Mackenzie Innovation Institute, SE Health, Sterling Industries, The HUB and ventureLAB. Entrepreneurs participating in the program will present innovative business solutions that will deliver high-quality, effective and patient-focused care.
- virtual Small Business Week programs in partnership with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, ventureLAB, YSpace, Futurpreneur Canada and COSTI. Five virtual workshops, networking opportunities and tools will be offered during the week of Oct. 19 to help small businesses and entrepreneurs in their continued successes and navigate through challenges presented by COVID-19.
HELP REDUCE THE SPREAD
OF COVID-19
It is important that
every citizen takes the following steps to protect themselves and their loved
ones from new and emerging diseases:
- 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.
QUOTE
“From the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, I have said we are in a
marathon, not a sprint. Vaughan became the first city in Ontario to declare a
state of emergency. This global pandemic is felt here at home and in
communities around the world. Our top priority remains the health and safety of
everyone who lives and works here. We are in the second wave of this virus, and
we must continue doing everything in our power to reduce the impacts in our
city. That includes following the advice of our public health experts and
limiting opportunities for further transmission. Today’s announcement from the
Province signals that while we have done much, there is still more work to be
done. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to practise physical distancing, wear
a mask or face covering when in public, wash your hands thoroughly and
frequently, and stay home as much as possible. Each of us plays an important
role in reducing the spread of this virus. If we continue to work together and
support each other, I know we will emerge stronger.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- 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’s COVID-19 webpage
- York Region’s COVID-19 webpage
- Ontario’s news release on modified Stage 2 for York Region