BRAMPTON, ON (May 12, 2020) – This year, Victoria Day takes place on Monday, May 18.
With guidance from Peel Public Health and for the safety of our residents and employees, City Hall and all other City of Brampton facilities, including Recreation and Community Centres and Brampton Library branches, remain closed until further notice to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
All critical services, including Fire and Emergency Services, Traffic Services, By-Law Enforcement, Road Operations, POA Courts and Security Services will continue to operate as usual to support our community.
Residents can call 311 or 905.874.2000 (outside of Brampton), use the Brampton 311 app (available on App Store or Google Play), visit www.311brampton.ca or email 311@brampton.ca for any inquiries. We are available 24/7 for any City of Brampton or Region of Peel matters, including queries related to COVID-19 such as tax deferrals, physical distancing and parks and facilities closures. Visit www.brampton.ca/covid19 for more information.
Celebrate Victoria Day – online!
To help Bramptonians celebrate Victoria Day from their homes, the City has created an online hub full of family-friendly activities, takeout options from local restaurants, and a virtual fireworks display, powered by SnapdHUB.
Residents are encouraged to order from local restaurants on Victoria Day as part of the Hey Brampton! Let’s Eat! campaign led by Experience Brampton. Make the dining experience memorable by setting up a picnic in your backyard, on your front lawn, in your driveway, or anywhere else at home. Share a photo on social media and use #BramptonTogether to be a part of our physically distanced celebration.
Join neighbours across Ontario for an exciting staged fireworks experience in augmented reality! The virtual fireworks display offers residents a safe alternative to traditional Victoria Day fireworks displays. The virtual show starts online at 8 PM, with a countdown to the fireworks at 7:50 PM. Visit www.brampton.ca/victoriaday for participating restaurants and a link to the fireworks display.
Fireworks safety
Victoria Day is one of four holidays a year when short-range fireworks are allowed on private property, without the need for a permit, in Brampton. Under the by-law, fireworks are also permitted on Canada Day, Diwali and New Year’s Eve.
Short-range fireworks are those that tend to travel less than three metres (10 feet) when set off (e.g. fountains, wheels, ground spinners, sparklers). All other rocket-type fireworks are banned in Brampton. The City reminds residents that fireworks are not permitted on the street, sidewalks, within City parks or on municipal or school properties.
When using short-range fireworks on private property, residents must follow these safety precautions:
• Have a container of water or a hose line filled with water available to extinguish fireworks.
• Never light a firework or hold a lit firework in your hand, other than a sparkler.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• After using sparklers, place them in a container of water to fully cool before disposal.
• Allow all fireworks to fully cool before disposal.
Every year, fireworks vendors are required to undergo City training before they are licensed to sell fireworks. This year, no trainings were held and no licences were issued. If residents see fireworks being sold in stores or elsewhere in Brampton, they are asked to report to Service Brampton through the Brampton 311 mobile app, online, or by calling 311. Residents are also asked to contact Service Brampton if concerned about the use of prohibited fireworks, or public gatherings of more than five people due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 safety measures
There are important rules and regulations our community needs to keep in mind to stay safe in response to COVID-19.
• Peel Public Health encourages the residents of Peel to keep their distance (practice physical distancing) while outside, making sure to avoid crowds. Residents should stay close to home when exercising and continue to limit excursions to essential reasons. Residents with a medical condition, a compromised immune system or those over the age of 70 should stay home and go out for solo exercise or essential needs.
• All 500+ parks in Brampton, playgrounds and other structures in parks, leash-free dog parks, picnic shelters, outdoor sports facilities and outdoor fitness equipment (including sports fields, basketball and tennis courts), recreation centres and surrounding lands, and parking lots at City facilities are closed to the public until further notice. Residents are asked to call 905.874.2111 to report non-compliance.
• While trails remain open at this time, people must remain 2.0 metres away from others (who don’t live in your home) at all times. For a map of trails, click here.
• Avoid gatherings of five or more people – these are now prohibited under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act implemented by the Province.
• Please discard used facemasks, protective gloves and other home healthcare waste by placing them in a bag and disposing of them in the garbage.
• Penalties are now in place under the Brampton COVID-19 Emergency Measures By-law. Individuals can be fined a minimum of $500 and a maximum of up to $100,000 for each offence for not adhering to physical distancing measures. Residents are asked to call 311 to report non-compliance.
• We recognize the impacts COVID-19 has on our community and that it is an especially difficult and stressful time for some. We have launched specialized task forces to support the community. This includes economic support, seniors support, youth support and support for those most vulnerable. More information on the Task Forces and how to get in touch with them is available at www.brampton.ca/covid19.
Brampton Transit
Brampton Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule with some route cancellations on Victoria Day. The following routes will be in service:
• 501 Züm Queen
• 502 Züm Main
• 511 Züm Steeles
• 1 Queen
• 2 Main
• 3 McLaughlin
• 4 Chinguacousy
• 5 Bovaird
• 7 Kennedy
• 11 Steeles
• 14 Torbram
• 15 Bramalea
• 18 Dixie
• 23 Sandalwood
• 30 Airport Road
• 50 Gore Road
• 52 McMurchy
• 115 Airport Express
Customer Service counters at the terminals are closed. Terminal building hours at Bramalea, Brampton Gateway and Downtown Terminals are 6 AM to 9 PM. The Contact Centre is open and available to assist from 9 AM to 6 PM at 905.874.2999.
An enhanced cleaning and sanitizing schedule remains in effect. It is Brampton Transit’s goal to disinfect buses, including all hard surfaces, operator compartments and seats every 48 hours. Buses are currently sanitized every 24 hours. Facilities and terminals that have hard surfaces are wiped down and sanitized on a daily basis. Riders are encouraged to carry their own personal disinfectant when traveling, such as hand sanitizer or wipes, and wash their hands often.
For route and schedule information, call 905.874.2999 or visit www.bramptontransit.com. For real-time next bus information go to nextride.brampton.ca on your smartphone or other mobile device. For other trip planning tools, visit www.triplinx.ca or Google Maps.
Brampton Recreation
All recreation programming and facility rentals are cancelled until further notice. Credits will automatically be placed on accounts. Please contact recconnects@brampton.ca for more information.
Stay fit with a full body circuit, learn how to make origami hearts, practice your calligraphy skills and more with Rec At Home, a variety of virtual programming made with love by Brampton Recreation staff! Access the Rec At Home platform at www.brampton.ca/recreation.
Brampton Library
All Brampton Library branches are closed until further notice. For weekend entertainment, try streaming movies and music, or read an eBook! For more information on our digital products, programs and services, visit www.bramptonlibrary.ca or email info@bramlib.on.ca.
Brampton Animal Services
The Brampton Animal Shelter will be closed on the Sunday and Monday of Victoria Day weekend.
Animal Control is on the road Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 10 PM and Saturday and Sunday and holidays from 8 AM to 6:30 PM, and will be responding to the following calls only:
• Pick up of sick/injured/aggressive domestic animals and wildlife
• Aggressive animal
• Dog running at large
• Dog bite investigation
• Pick up of confined stray dog
• Pick up of dead animal
Outside of these hours, Animal Control will be responding to emergencies only.
-30-
MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Sharma
Media Relations, City of Brampton
905.874.2880 | christine.sharma@brampton.ca
