Friday, January 21, 2022

Province of Ontario to begin easing COVID-19 restrictions starting January 31

MARKHAM, ON – January 21, 2022 – Starting on Monday, January 31 at 12:01 AM, the Province of Ontario will begin a cautious and phased approach to lifting restrictions. Further easing will follow with 21 days between each step, subject to Public Health and health system indicators.

To protect your family and friends and to help slow the spread of COVID-19, please continue to follow public health advice including staying at home as much as possible, limiting close contacts, masking, physical distancing, and handwashing. In addition, everyone eligible is encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible using one of the convenient options available.

Effective on January 31 at 12:01 AM, restrictions include, but are not limited to, the following settings. Enhanced proof of vaccination and other requirements continue to apply in existing settings:

Social gatherings with social distancing and masks:
- Indoor – maximum 10 people
- Outdoor – maximum 25 people
A maximum of 50 per cent capacity will apply to 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
Spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues and theatres can operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.

The City of Markham’s COVID-19 affected services will be as follows when the restrictions change on January 31. Please check the City’s website for ongoing updates:

Services

City services continue to be offered to residents and businesses virtually and in-person (select services requiring in-person assistance require an appointment)
Markham Recycling Depots will reopen and textile recycling bins remain available
Markham Small Business Centre continues to offer virtual advice and assistance
The Markham Cat Adoption and Education Centre will reopen

Recreation

Angus Glen, Centennial and Thornhill Community Centres, and Markham Pan Am Centre will reopen
Pools at Centennial CC and Angus Glen CC, and Markham Pan Am Centre will reopen
Arenas at Angus Glen CC, Centennial CC, Thornhill CC, Clatworthy Arena, Crosby CC, Mt. Joy CC and Markham Village CCwill reopen
Markham Fitness Centres at Thornhill CC and Centennial CC will reopen
Angus Glen Tennis Centre will reopen
Indoor Soccer Facilities will reopen
All “learn to” programs, pay-per-play, swim lessons, skating and community sport groups rentals will be reactivated
All virtual and outdoor programs will continue without disruption
The City will communicate further details early next week on Recreation reactivations directly with users and affected groups

Library

Angus Glen and Thornhill Markham Markham Public Library locations will reopen at 50 per cent capacity. Aaniin, Markham Village, Thornhill Village and Unionville branches will remain open. All other library locations will remain closed
Virtual library programs continue to be offered

Outdoor Amenities

Parks and trails, including off-leash dog parks remain open
Playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment remain available
Outdoor city ice rinks including the Markham Civic Centre ice rink remain available

Coming Soon

Varley Art Gallery of Markham will reopen for exhibitions and programs beginning Friday, February 4
The Flato Markham Theatre will welcome back audiences for a live theatre performance on February 18 at 50% seating capacity. The Theatre is currently open for rehearsals and recorded/broadcasted performances only. The Spring 2022 Diamond Season will begin in March and will be announced shortly
A further announcement regarding the reopening of the Markham Museum will follow

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:
At mayorscarpitti@markham.ca.

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 more than 351,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 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.

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