As Ontario – and Durham – have moved to Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen on June 30, Region’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle, said both case numbers are low and there are no outbreaks in long term care (LTC) facilities.
“Locally, trends also continue to improve; the number of daily cases has ranged from eight to 12 over the past week and currently there are no outbreaks in long-term care or retirement homes, child care centres or workplaces,” said Dr. Kyle.
Health Department staff and community partners continue efforts to vaccinate all residents who wish to receive a Covid-19 vaccine; more than 73 per cent of Durham Region residents 18 and older have received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine. “Over the summer, we will continue to work towards vaccinating all eligible residents with the goal of improving the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated.”
He said area residents will be pleased to know that Step 2 includes easing of additional public health restrictions allowing everyone to get back to some activities that have not been permitted since the provincewide Stay at Home Order was issued in April. In Step 2, several establishments can open and some services may resume with restrictions and capacity limits in place, including:
- Personal care services where face coverings can be worn
- Public libraries
- Outdoor amusement and water parks
- Overnight camp, and
- Stores in shopping malls
- Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events are permitted for up to 25 people and
- Outdoor dining is permitted for up to six people per table
Please visit the Covid-19 Guidance and Advice for Businesses and Organizations web page for more information on restrictions and permitted activities. Residents and businesses may also refer to O. Reg. 263/20: Rules for Areas in Step 2 for further details.
Please remember that public health restrictions and capacity limits continue to be in place. I urge all residents to continue to follow public health measures and resume activities safely to ensure that we prevent any increases in disease spread. Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation; our collective actions continue to make a difference, said Dr. Kyle.
Accessing Whitby Services and Amenities
While we continue to encourage residents to access Town services online, the following are some of the services that are now being offered in-person by appointment only:
- civil marriage ceremonies and licences,
- lottery licensing,
- special events permits (for events to be held after August 1, 2021)
- commissioner of oaths,
- freedom of information requests (new submissions only),
- property tax services, including payments and rebate applications; and
- viewing of property tax assessment roll books.
Residents wishing to book an appointment for one of these services can visit whitby.ca/appointments.
The Town’s outdoor recreational amenities continue to remain open. This includes: splash pads, Port Whitby Marina, the public boat launch, basketball courts and more. See what’s open here.
In alignment with Step 2 provincial regulations, the Town will also be permitting outdoor sports games and league play for sports like baseball and lacrosse subject to Provincial and Regional regulations.
Whitby Public Library
Effective Monday, July 5 Central Library will open with capacity limits for browsing and computer use. No study areas or seating will be available. The Brooklin and Rossland Branches will continue to offer contactless pick-up.
Community and Business Impacts
Step Two also means changes to permitted activities, including expanded outdoor dining and access to retail (with restrictions). These changes include, but are not limited to:
- social gathering and organized public event limits being expanded to 25 people outdoors and 5 people indoors;
- outdoor sports without contact or modified to avoid contact with restrictions;
- outdoor fairs, festivals and events to be permitted at 25 per cent capacity;
- non-essential retail being open at 25 per cent capacity, essential retail at 50 per cent capacity;
- outdoor dining for up to six people per table, with exceptions for larger households;
- personal care services being open at 25 per cent capacity (where masks can be worn at all times); and
- indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies being open at 25 per cent capacity.
View the provincial regulation for the full list of public health and workplace safety measures that need to be followed.
At this time, the following provincial orders remain in effect:
- indoor gatherings remain limited to five people; and
- indoor pools, gyms and indoor fitness facilities are not permitted to open.
Scugog services and additional recreation amenities
As of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30 the province entered Step 2 of the Reopening Plan. The plan provides guidance for small businesses, retail and restaurant sector. Please safely support your local shops and restaurants by continuing to follow the health guidelines, wear a mask, maintain 2m (6 ft.) physical distance, sanitize your hands often and be kind to those serving in the community.
In Step 2, Municipal administration services will be available by appointment only beginning July 12. Services will also continue to be offered by phone or virtually and the document drop box remains available. To connect with staff please use the staff directory at scugog.ca/contact. Service level changes and additional openings will be communicated in the coming weeks as Regional Health vaccination thresholds are reached.
Outdoor gatherings and use of recreation amenities are limited to 25 people. Indoor social gatherings and organized public events are limited to 5 people. Masks must be worn and physical distancing must be maintained.
Below is a list of service level changes for Step 2:
Municipal Office – 181 Perry Street
- As of July 12, open by appointment only (no walk-ins) for Clerk services such as Marriage Licences, Commissions and Freedom of Information requests.
Virtual services remain the preferred option visit scugog.ca/Covid19 for more details.
Outdoor sports and recreational amenities – Up to 25 people
- Soccer fields and ball diamonds may be used for personal or organized team play with restrictions
- Spectator capacity on bleachers is reduced to 25%
- All leagues must provide their safety plan to the Township prior to booking approval
- Players must be residents from the Region of Durham or City of Kawartha Lakes
- No tournaments in Step 2
- Park n Play requires preregistration as each session is limited to 20 participants
- Outdoor fitness classes are permitted up to 25 people
Special Outdoor Events (Park bookings)
- Permitted with limitation of 25 persons in attendance
- Exclusive use of the park requires approval from council
- Organizers are reminded to obtain permits for park use such as family barbeques, gazebo usage and picnic shelters
Scugog Community and Recreation Centre (SCRC)
- The SCRC will open for camps July 5. In addition to camps, other recreation areas will be used to facilitate the vaccination clinic as well as heat emergency cooling station may be permitted as required
Meeting Rooms
- Closed with the exception of the purpose of delivering or supporting mental health support services or addictions support services, so long as no more than 10 people are permitted to occupy the rented space
Wedding and Religious Ceremonies
- Permitted with restrictions
Community Halls
- Permitted for use with restrictions for time of rental, how many seated per table and alcohol consumption
- Prince Albert Hall – expected to continue use as a Covid-19 screening centre until 2022
Scugog Summer Camp – Begins July 5
- Number of campers limited to four to six cohorts at the Scugog Community Recreation Centre and one to two cohorts offsite
- Each cohort to consist of 10 to 15 campers and 2 staff to allow for break coverage and additional cleaning and sanitizing
- Staff will be trained and practice infection prevention and control prevention measures such as cleaning and disinfecting toys, equipment and frequently touched items (e.g. doorknobs, water fountains, toilets, etc.)
- No day trip outings
- Encourage physical distancing between camp participants, parents/ guardians and camp participants
- Ensure spaces shared by cohorts (e.g. washrooms) are cleaned and disinfected before and after use
Scugog Shores Museum and Village
- Permitted to open for outdoor activities only with restrictions
Scugog Memorial Public Library
- Full access to library building, bookshelves, computers and printers
- Total number of people in the building at any one time must not exceed 25% capacity
- Reduced operating hours retained throughout the summer
- Room bookings limited to study rooms (2 person limit)
- Programs will continue to be offered via Facebook and YouTube
- Kent Farndale Gallery remains closed to the public until September
Brock harbours and beaches open to residents and non-residents
June 30, 2021 – As the province moves into Step 2, please be advised that Harbour Passes are no longer required to access Township of Brock harbours and beaches. These amenities are now open to both residents and non-residents with Covid-19 social distancing in place.
Visit the Region of Durham’s website for a list of beaches posted as unsafe for swimming due to elevated bacteria levels.