Just hours before the provincial government’s new stay-at-home order goes into effect, the City of Markham is reminding residents that it’s “critically important” that everyone does their part “to keep one another safe.”
The new order, effective Thursday, Jan. 14 at 12:01 a.m., requires everyone to remain at home and to reduce the number of daily contacts with those outside their immediate household for at least 28 days. Essential trips can be made for groceries, medicine, to access health-care services, for exercise or for essential work. All businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home does work from home.
Police, bylaw officers and provincial workplace inspectors have the power to enforce the stay-at-home order, issued by the Doug Ford government as COVID-19 models show the province is at a dangerous ‘tipping point.’ To date, there are 2,287 active COVID-19 cases and 403 confirmed deaths in York Region.
Under the order, 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. Stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants for takeout or delivery are all exempt from restricted hours of operation. Discount retailers and big box stores that sell groceries can open for in-person retail as long as physical distancing is possible and occupation capacity doesn’t exceed 25 per cent.
York Region schools won’t return to in-person instruction until at least February 10. Enhanced long-term care home visitor restrictions remain in effect and retirement homes will be on high alert with visitor restrictions. In addition, long-term care homes must implement enhanced testing requirements. Non-essential construction is further restricted. New under the State of Emergency, outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than five people.
Community centres, arenas, pools, the Markham Museum, Flato Markham Theatre and the Varley Art Gallery remain closed until further notice. You can still take advantage of virtual winter recreation, fitness and library programs and skating at the Markham Civic Centre Outdoor Ice Rink (pre-booking required).
The City will continue to offer virtual library services and curbside pickup 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 remain open with COVID-19 health and safety measures in place.
Visit markham.ca/CovidSafety to learn how you can help stop the spread of the coronavirus and markham.ca/covid19 for information about how the pandemic is affecting City services.
