Whitby: Durham is shutting down schools and limiting public events and gatherings to contain the spread of pandemic Covid-19.
The Regional Municipality of Durham saidina statement:”As the Covid-19 situation continues to evolve, the Region is taking steps to protect the health and wellness of the community.”
The measures include:
- Regional Early Learning and Child Care Centres (ELCC) in Durham schools will be closed effective immediately until Monday, April 6 (Clara Hughes ELCC, Lakewoods Before & After School; Sunderland ELCC). This measure is being implemented in tandem with the Province of Ontario’s order to close all publicly funded schools in Ontario for two weeks following March break, in order to reduce the spread of germs and protect our community from illness. For information about fee subsidy, please contact the Children’s Services Division at 905-666-6238 or toll-free at 1-800-372-1102.
- Regional Early Learning and Child Care Centres not located in schools remain open at this time (Edna Thompson ELCC, Whitby ELCC, Lakewoods ELCC, Ajax ELCC and Pickering ELCC). These sites will implement active Covid-19 pre-screening process for anyone entering the building.
- For child care centres not located in schools and not operated by the Region of Durham, families should contact their child care centre directly for information about closures.
- Effective immediately, all EarlyON programs will be closed until Monday, April 6.
- The Ontario Ministry of Health has recommended the suspension of all large events and public gatherings of more than 250 people. Residents should recognize the risk of attending public gatherings and to practice social distancing as much as possible. This means that residents should stay home when possible, and avoid crowds, to help prevent the spread of germs and illness.
For up-to-date information about Covid-19 in Durham Region visit durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus. For information about impact on regional programs and services, visit durham.ca/closures.
CITY OF OSHAWA
In support of the government’s efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19, Oshawa City Council has approved the following temporary measures.
Facility Closures
Oshawa City Council said in support of the provincial government’s temporary closure of public schools, the following facilities are closed to the public for a three-week period. They are anticipated to reopen on Monday, April 6.
- Arts Resource Centre
- Children’s Arena
- Civic Recreation Complex
- Columbus Community Centre
- Delpark Homes Centre
- Donevan Recreation Complex
- Harman Park Arena
- Northview Community Centre
- South Oshawa Community Centre
- Tribute Communities Centre
Recreation Programs and March Break Camps
All March Break programming, camps and drop-in activities are cancelled.
All recreation programs, including drop-ins, public swimming and public skating and facility rentals are cancelled up until and including Sunday, April 5.
Camp participants and facility permit holders will receive a full refund.
Meetings
The following meetings are cancelled and will be rescheduled:
- Special Meeting of Council – Fire Master Plan on March 24, 2020, 1:30 pm.
- Open House – Multi-Use Path on March 26, 2020, 6:30 pm.
At this time, all other Standing and other Committee meetings, including the regular Council Meeting on Monday, March 23 at 9:30 am will take place as scheduled.
Open Facilities
The following City facilities remain open for business:
- City Hall, including Service Oshawa
- Oshawa Animal Services
- Oshawa Executive Airport
The following regular Council meeting will take place as scheduled:
- City Council Meeting, Monday, March 23 at 9:30 am.
The announcement said the city has routine cleaning practices and procedures in place and follows Durham Region Health Department’s recommendations for infection prevention and control. It has increased cleaning protocols and invested in additional cleaning supplies.
It asked community members to consider doing business with the city online or over the phone when possible. Service Oshawa can be contacted by live chat at www.oshawa.ca, phone at 905-436-3311 and email at service@oshawa.ca.
CITY OF PICKERING
The City of Pickering said it will be supporting government efforts to curtail the spread of Covid-19 by taking the following actions.
City operations and programming:
- All public City facilities, with the exception of Pickering City Hall, will be closed as of 4:30 pm on March 13 until April 5 (inclusive). This includes:
- Pickering Public Library (all branches)
- Pickering Museum Village
- Brougham Hall
- Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex & Arena
- Don Beer Arena
- Dunbarton Indoor Pool
- East Shore Community Centre
- George Ashe Community Centre & Library
- West Shore Community Centre
- Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Centre & Claremont Library Branch
- Whitevale Community Centre
- Whitevale Arts & Cultural Centre
- Greenwood Community Centre
- Mt. Zion Community Centre2020 March Break Camps are cancelled
- City public events and programs will be suspended as of 4:30 pm March 13 until April 5 (inclusive). This includes:
- Sparky’s Fire Station Birthday Party at Fire Station 5 (March 20)
- Adult 55+ event – Sunday Afternoon Big Band (March 15)
- Pre-teen dance (March 27)
- Visit pickering.ca/greatevents for a full list of events
Permits for private events at city facilities will be cancelled until April 5
Full refunds will be issued for any paid city programs, events, and permits
Visit pickering.ca/NovelCoronavirus for updates.
TOWN OF WHITBY
“To date, we have been working collaboratively with the Durham Region Health Department and our neighbouring municipal partners to share information and resources. We have also implemented a protocol of frequent and thorough cleaning at all Town facilities, and invested in additional cleaning supplies like disinfectants and hand sanitizer. In addition, we have been encouraging all residents to use standard precautions, such as frequent handwashing, to prevent the spread of germs.
Given the latest developments, however, we have begun the next phase of our preparation for Covid-19. This includes the consideration of social distancing measures being advised by the World Health Organization,” Gaskell added.
Effective midnight Friday, March 13,Whitby will be implementing a temporary 3-week closure of the following facilities:
- Ashburn Community Centre
- Brooklin Community Centre
- Brooklin Community Centre & Library
- Centennial Building
- Heydenshore Pavilion
- Iroquois Park Sports Centre
- Luther Vipond Memorial Arena
- McKinney Centre
- Port Whitby Marina – closed for gatherings, open for boaters
- Spencer Community Centre
- Whitby 55+ Centre (Whitby Seniors’ Activity Centre)
- Whitby Civic Recreation Complex
- Whitby Public Library – all locations
It’s important to note that this impacts all Town of Whitby March Break programming.
Whitby has also cancelled the following events scheduled to be held this month:
- The Mayor’s Gala
- The Sustainability Movie Night
- The Active Living Fair
- The March 25th Whitby in Bloom Speakers Series event
All other town events are being assessed using the provincial risk assessment tool for mass gatherings and are being considered on a case-by-case basis.
“We recognize the impact this decision will likely have on families and our facility users, but this precaution is necessary to help keep people safe. The situation with Covid-19 is rapidly changing, and we will continue to adjust our operations according to the recommendations of health authorities,”Gaskell said.
Whitby Mayor Don Mitchell said: “Council understands that the temporary facility closures announced today will cause inconvenience and upset for many Whitby residents. We appreciate the patience of all residents during this unprecedented and very difficult situation.
“What we know right now is that there are only two identified cases of Covid-19 in Durham Region – and none in Whitby. We also know that there is no current evidence of community transmission of the virus. That, however, does not negate our responsibility to do everything we can to help keep our people safe, now and in the future,”he said.
TOWN OF AJAX
A statement from Ajax said the town is following the direction from Durham Region Public Health, who is making their decisions based on the provincial and federal response.
CLOSURES March 14 – April 5 (tentatively)
March Break Programs: All March Break programs, camps and drop-in activities are cancelled (March 13 – 22)
Recreation Programs: All recreations programs including drop-ins, pre-registered, public swims and public skates are cancelled.
Facility Closures: The following town facilities will be closed to the public, including all permits.
- Ajax Community Centre
- McLean Community Centre
- Audley Recreation Centre
- St. Andrews and Pickering Village Senior Centres
- All Satellite Facilities
- Ajax Public Libraries (ARC, MCC and Main Branch)
Town Hall and Operations Centre remain open to the public during regular business hours. However, residents are encouraged to only attend for necessary business.
Town events & public meetings: All Town events and public information meetings are cancelled.
Moving forward: The town will provide further updates on Monday, March 16.
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
CANCELLED: All March Break Camps, Drop-in Programs and Facility Rentals
With the recent global developments and growing concerns over the Covid-19 virus, including the World Health Organization’s declaration of a pandemic and Ontario Government’s decision to issue a ministerial order to close schools for an additional two weeks following March Break, the Municipality of Clarington has taken decisive action.
To help facilitate social distancing and help prevent the spread of Covid-19, Clarington has closed all recreation facilities effective March 13 at 11:59 pm. All facility rentals, programs and activities, including all March Break Camps are cancelled.
NOTE: Residents will receive a full refund.
Online registration for spring recreation programs will continue during the closure. Pro-rated fees will be calculated for delayed programs.
Facility Closures
- Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre
- Courtice Community Complex
- Diane Hamre Recreation Complex
- Darlington Sports Centre
- Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex
- South Courtice Arena, including artificial turf field
- Bowmanville Indoor Soccer/Lacrosse Bowl
Meeting Cancellations
The following public meetings are cancelled and will be rescheduled:
- Public Information Centre #3: Brookhill Secondary Plan Update, Tuesday, March 24
- Public Information Centre #2: Courtice Employment Lands and GO Station Area, Tuesday, March 31
Council and Committee meetings will continue as scheduled and will be available to watch online at www.clarington.net/calendar. All delegations will either be moved to a future meeting or asked to submit their comments in writing.
Open for Business
The following buildings will remain open for business:
- Municipal Administrative Centre (Town Hall)
- Municipal Law Enforcement Office
- Visitor’s Centre
- Clarington Animal Shelter
- Hampton Operations Centre
- All Fire Stations
To adhere to social distance guidelines, Clarington has asked residents, where possible, to make tax payments online or through their bank. If any tax-related questions, try calling first at 905-623-3379.
For information about local recreation programming and/or recreation facility closures, refer to local-tier municipality:
Note: Above image courtesy Clarington
This is getting fuckin rediculess
This whole thing could have been prevented if the people in charge had procured enough surgical grade medical masks to supply everyone for a period of 28 days.