FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRAMPTON, ON (March 12, 2020) – The City of Brampton takes COVID-19 seriously and continues to follow the advice of Peel Public Health. The most up to date information is available at www.peelregion.ca/coronavirus. The City will continue to monitor this situation closely and update residents with any changes to services or programming.
For attendance at City events and programming, individuals are encouraged to follow Peel Public Health’s recommended hygiene practices:
• If you have been asked to self-monitor, please follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose as much as possible.
• Avoid contact with people who are ill and their items.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands. Wash hands after coughing and sneezing.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet, exercise and enough sleep, to enhance your body's immune system.
• Get a flu shot. You are more likely to contract influenza than COVID-19 and being sick lowers your immunity to other germs.
• If you need to self-isolate, please follow the advice from your healthcare provider.
Events
Peel Public Health has advised the City to undertake a risk assessment on each upcoming City event. Brampton’s Emergency Management Office (BEMO) is being updated regularly by Public Health and working with City departments to implement any advice or direction that is received.
For City events in excess of 250 persons, the event will be postponed. City facility rental groups will be notified and encouraged to postpone large events. The Mayor and City Council are leading by example and will not be attending large events.
For City events of less than 250 persons, the City will be locating awareness and Peel Public Health hygiene best practices signage on these sites.
Recreation Programming & March Break
Peel Public Health is not recommending that you stay home from work or school if you are well, unless you have been advised to self-isolate. As with any illness, it is advisable to stay home if you are ill and to avoid contact with others who are ill. In keeping with this advice, the City’s Recreation programming during March Break will continue as planned.
Brampton’s Recreation Department is waiving the $50 withdrawal fee for camps should parents decide to withdraw their child from camp between now and Monday. Should parents withdraw after Monday, the City will pro-rate the fee. Please contact recconnects@brampton.ca for more information.
Emergency Operations Centre – City of Brampton Emergency Response Plan Activated
The City of Brampton continues to follow the advice of Peel Public Health. While the City has not declared an official emergency on COVID-19, Brampton’s Emergency Management Office has now activated the City of Brampton Emergency Response Plan at a Level 2. This decision enables a more rapid response to dedicating specific resources to prevention and containment.
Regional Assessment Centre – Peel Memorial
William Osler Health System has opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness to screen and assess people in our community who are experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19. The Osler Assessment Centre is not a walk-in clinic. Assessment Centre Hours are from 2 pm to 8 pm, seven days a week. This facility is located in a self-contained area at Peel Memorial and does not impact other patients who are attending the Urgent Care Centre or outpatient services at the site. Peel Memorial continues to be a safe place to receive care.
Message from Mayor Patrick Brown
“The City of Brampton is taking COVID-19 very seriously and is taking concrete steps to increase our safety measures for residents. We are increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting buses and facilities, as well as postponing large events and gatherings and encouraging facility rental groups to do the same. Council and I will be leading by example and will not attend large events in the coming weeks. I encourage all residents to follow Peel Public Health’s recommended hygiene practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.”
More information:
• Peel Public Health – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• City of Brampton – Service Information Update 1
• COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness
• Province of Ontario: Ministry of Health – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Government of Canada - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
• World Health Organization – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
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MEDIA CONTACT
Natalie Stogdill
Senior Advisor, Public Relations, City of Brampton
905.874.3654 | natalie.stogdill@brampton.ca
