Friday, February 19, 2021

Markham enters Red-Control Zone on February 22

MARKHAM, ON – February 19, 2021 – At 12:01 AM on Monday, February 22, the City of Markham will enter the RED-CONTROL Zone under a revised and strengthened Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 Response Framework.

While the Stay-at-Home Order and State of Emergency will no longer be in effect for the City of Markham as of that date, residents are asked to continue to limit travel outside of the home to essential trips for groceries, medicine, to access healthcare services, for essential work or to exercise.

Residents are urged not to travel between regions as several new and infectious strains of COVID-19 have been detected in Ontario. Minimizing travel and interactions with those outside of your household will help keep your loved ones safe and protect the healthcare system and hospitals by helping keep ICU beds available for essential non-COVID-19 services such as surgeries and cancer treatments.

Gathering limits for organized public events and social gatherings under RED-CONTROL Zone are:

Indoor: 5 people maximum
Outdoor: 25 people maximum (while keeping a safe distance)
Weddings, funerals, religious services: 30% capacity of the room indoors or 100 people outdoors (while keeping a safe distance)

An individual who lives alone (household of one) may also gather solely with one other household.

The strengthened measures for RED-CONTROL Zone under the revised Provincial COVID-19 response framework include:

Capacity limits of:
- 75% for supermarkets and other stores that primarily sell groceries, convenience stores, pharmacies
- 50% for all other retail, including discount and big box retailers, liquor stores, hardware stores and garden centres
- Stores must post their capacity limit publicly
- Stores must have passive screening for patrons (for example, posting signs outside the store front about not entering if you have COVID-19 symptoms)
- Indoor malls must actively screen their customers before they enter the mall (for example, by using the patron screening tool)
- Stores within malls are required to follow appropriate retail measures

Businesses are reminded that they have a responsibility to have policies and procedures in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, including a safety plan. Sector-specific guidelines are available at markham.ca/CovidEnforcement.

The Markham Small Business Centre continues to offer small business help and businesses are encouraged to join Destination Markham’s visitmarkham.ca business directory free-of-charge to benefit from free advertising and marketing as the local economy reopens.

The City of Markham’s COVID-19 affected services are as follows:

City-owned community centres, arenas, pools, fitness centres, the Markham Museum, the Flato Markham Theatre and the Varley Art Gallery will remain closed until further notice
Virtual library, recreation and fitness programs continue to be offered
Skating at the Markham Civic Centre Outdoor Ice Rink
Markham Public Library will continue to offer select online services
Markham Public Library curbside pick up of holds and returns will be available at Markham Village, Thornhill Village and Unionville locations
The City continues to provide critical services to residents and businesses virtually and in-person (services requiring in-person assistance require an appointment)
Markham Recycling Depots will remain open

To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, we need to continue to:

Stay at home
Limit interactions to those in your household
Avoid social gatherings
Wash your hands frequently
Keep a safe distance of 2 metres or 6 feet from others
Wear a mask or face covering when in indoor public spaces or when keeping a safe distance outdoors is a challenge
If you feel sick, stay home
It is important to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 and seek assessment and testing if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or if you've been advised of exposure by your local public health unit or through the COVID Alert mobile app

As we navigate the pandemic together, the City of Markham continues to monitor and follow advice from public health officials at the federal, provincial and regional levels.

It is critically important that we each continue to do our part to keep one another safe. It is not the time to let your guard down. Every action counts.

Visit markham.ca/covid19 for more information.

Related links:

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff at bfrois@markham.ca or 416.567.1177.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450.

For COVID-19 announcements from the City of Markham:
Visit markham.ca/covid19 or listen to 105.9 The Region – Markham’s information and emergency radio station.

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 355,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 240 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.

Stay Connected: Visit our newsroom or search #MarkhamNews and #MarkhamEvents for the latest information on City programs, services and event.