Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Ontario declares State of Emergency to combat COVID-19 & save lives

MARKHAM, ON – January 13, 2020 – The Government of Ontario declared a second provincewide State of Emergency starting January 12 and for a minimum of 28 days, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, save lives, and to protect healthcare services. Among other enhanced measures, a Stay-at-Home Order will be in effect, starting Thursday, January 14 at 12:01 AM.

These new orders require everyone to remain at home and to reduce the number of daily contacts with those outside their immediate household. Essential trips can be made for groceries, medicine, to access healthcare services, for exercise or for essential work. All businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.

The declaration and related orders amend and reinforce the restrictions currently placed on Markham under the Provincewide Shutdown and the Grey-Lockdown Zone as set out in the Province’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 response framework .

Ontario’s COVID-19 infections continue to rise at an alarming rate while vaccinations for long-term care and healthcare workers are still taking place, and with the arrival of a new COVID-19 strain, the declaration of a State of Emergency and related orders are needed to help protect your family, friends and loved ones from the coronavirus. They will also protect the healthcare system and hospitals by helping keep ICU beds available and allow them to offer essential non-COVID-19 services such as surgeries and cancer treatments.

Gathering limits and public health measures under the State of Emergency include:

Indoor: 0 (limit interactions to those in your household)
NEW! Outdoor: 5 people maximum (while keeping a safe distance of 2 metres/6 feet)
Weddings, funerals, religious services: 10 people indoors or outdoors (while keeping a safe distance of 2 metres/6 feet)

Other restrictions include:

A mask or face covering is required in indoor public spaces, subject to exemptions.
A mask or face covering is required outdoors when keeping a safe distance of 2 metres/6 feet is a challenge, subject to exemptions.
Restrictions on in-person shopping continue to apply to all non-essential retail stores. In addition, hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. (9 a.m. for alcohol retailers) and close no later than 8 p.m. The restricted hours of operation do not apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants for takeout or delivery.
Shopping malls remain closed for in-person retail and must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m., except to provide access to grocery stores/supermarkets, pharmacies, and health care providers that only have public entrances that face the interior of the mall. Existing conditions on shopping mall operations continue to apply.
Discount retailers and big box stores that sell groceries are permitted to open for in-person retail provided that a physical distance of 2 metre/6 feet between individuals can be maintained and occupation capacity does not exceed 25%.
Non-essential construction is further restricted.

All enforcement and provincial offences officers, including the Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, municipal bylaw officers, and provincial workplace inspectors will have the authority to enforce these orders against both businesses and individuals under both the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, (ROA) and Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). They will also be able to temporarily close premises and disperse gatherings, if required.

Schools in York Region will not return to in-person instruction until at least February 10, 2021. New health and safety measures will be put in place when in-person learning re-starts. For details, please visit the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19: Reopening Schools and COVID-19 school and child care screening web pages.

Enhanced long-term care home visitor restrictions remain in effect. Retirement homes will be on high alert with visitor restrictions as outlined in the Retirement Homes COVID-19 Visitor Policy. In addition, long-term care homes must implement recently enhanced testing requirements .

City of Markham services continue to be impacted as follows:

Community centres, arenas, pools, the Markham Museum, Flato Markham Theatre and the Varley Art Gallery remain closed until further notice
Virtual winter recreation, fitness and library programs are available to keep residents active and engaged
Skating at the Markham Civic Centre Outdoor Ice Rink remains available (pre-booking required)
Virtual library services continue to be offered (curbside pick up of holds and returns will be available at Markham Village, Thornhill Village and Unionville locations)
Markham Civic Centre will continue to operate by appointment only and all essential municipal services will continue to be offered
Markham Recycling Depots will remain open with COVID-19 health and safety measures in place

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.

Residents are reminded to:

Avoid social gatherings and limit close contacts to your household
Keep a safe distance from anyone outside your household (2 metres/6 feet)
Wash your hands thoroughly and often
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Cough or sneeze into your sleeve
Wear a mask or face covering when inside public spaces or when physical distancing is a challenge, including outdoors
Clean high-touch surfaces often
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
Individuals and families from higher transmission regions should avoid travel to lower transmission regions, except for essential reasons
Download the COVID Alert mobile app.

Visit markham.ca/CovidSafety to find out how else you can do your part to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

For more information and updates about COVID-19 and affected City services, visit markham.ca/covid19.

Related links:

-30-

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.