BRAMPTON, ON (December 20, 2021) – In response to the rapidly-spreading and highly transmissible COVID-19 Omicron variant, the Government of Ontario introduced additional public health and workplace safety measures, including capacity and social gathering limits.
 
Public Health Measures

Private Social Gatherings

As of December 19, 2021, private social gatherings are permitted to have:
• 10 people indoors
• 25 people outdoors

Organized Public Events

As of December 19, 2021, publicly-organized events are permitted to have:
• 25 people indoors with face masks and physical distancing measures in place.
• Outdoor organized public events are permitted with no limit on the number of people. A face covering must be worn if physical distancing of 2 metres is not possible.

Capacity Limits

As of December 19, 2021, 50 per cent capacity limits are in place in the following indoor public settings:
• Restaurants and bars
• Personal care services
• Personal physical fitness training centres
• Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)
• Shopping malls
• Non-spectator areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g. gyms)
• Indoor recreational amenities
• Indoor clubhouses at outdoor recreational amenities
• Tour and guide services
• Photography studios and services

These limits do not apply to any portion of a business or place that is being used for a wedding, a funeral or a religious service, rite, concert or ceremony. Businesses or facilities will need to post a sign stating the capacity limits that are permitted in the establishment.
 
Additional Measures

To further reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, additional protective measures are also being applied:
• The number of patrons permitted to sit at a table will be limited to 10 people and patrons will be required to remain seated in restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments, meeting and event spaces and strip clubs.
• Bars and restaurants, meeting and event spaces and strip clubs will be required to close by 11 pm. Takeout and delivery will be permitted beyond 11 pm.
• Dancing and singing will not be allowed except for workers or performers.
• Food and/or drink services will be prohibited at sporting events; concert venues, theatres and cinemas; casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues.
• The sale of alcohol will be restricted after 10 pm and consumption of alcohol in businesses or settings after 11 pm.
 
Read the Province’s full news release here.

City Services, Programs and Facilities

City Hall and Corporate Facilities

City Hall and corporate facilities remain open for in-person services by appointment only. Walk-ins are not permitted. To book an appointment, visit www.brampton.ca/skiptheline.

During the upcoming holiday season, many City of Brampton offices, including City Hall, will be closed to the public from Friday, December 24, 2021 at 12 pm until Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 8:30 am. Read more about the 2021 holiday season in Brampton during the COVID-19 pandemic here.

The Rose and Performing Arts Facilities:

• Masking requirements remain in effect for all indoor venues
• Indoor performances will continue at 50% capacity
• Full ticket refund (credit/cheque, account credit, donation) continues to be available to all patrons
• The Rose bars will remain closed; no food or drink will be served or sold
• Rentals are being considered on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the existing rentals process and timelines
• Proof of vaccination or medical exemption is required for all patrons and rental clients
• Proof of vaccination or proof of negative COVID-19 test is required for all City of Brampton staff, volunteers, contractors and artists, curators, and co-presenters

Recreation

• Registered and Drop-In Programs – All swim, skate, and fitness drop-in programs will be adjusted to 50% of pre-COVID capacities. Registered programs are not impacted by the new regulation. Capacities in these programs are driven by participant to instructor ratios, which are well below 50% of the maximum room capacity.

• Fitness Centres – Access to fitness centres will continue to be available on a first-come, first-served basis with a 50% capacity imposed. Staff will monitor traffic through regular point of entry counts to ensure the capacity restriction is not exceeded. 

• Room Rentals – All upcoming rental contract holders are being contacted with information regarding the new provincial capacity requirements. Where possible, contract holders will be accommodated with a larger space at no additional charge or offered a credit/refund.

• Refunds/Credits – A full account credit will be provided to anyone who is withdrawn from a program, who cancels a rental, or who cancels a membership. Anyone who would like to request a refund can submit a request through recreationadmin@brampton.ca or facility staff.

• Concessions – Concessions will temporarily close until further notice. Bars will continue to operate, however, the sale of alcohol will be restricted after 10 p.m.

Impacted residents will be contacted directly by staff and a detailed update will be made available online.

Proof of Vaccination at Recreation Facilities

As per the recent, provincial announcement, effective January 4, 2022, patrons will be required to use the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app to enter a City of Brampton Recreation Facility. The QR code can be used digitally or by printing a paper copy. Individuals can download their enhanced certificate with QR code by visiting https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
In addition, effective January 10, 2022, physician notes will no longer be accepted as a valid exemption to the vaccination. Medical exemptions will only be verified using the certificate with the QR code.
 
Contact Tracing and Screening QR Code at Recreation Facilities

Beginning January 3, 2022 all customers will be required to complete an online screening and contact tracing form prior to arrival at the community centre. Patrons can access the online screening tool by visiting www.brampton.ca/recscreening or scanning the QR code located at facility entrances.

Visitors can save time by completing the pre-screening questions online using a smartphone/computer in advance. Alternatively, the form can be completed at point of entry. Upon arrival at the designated screening area/entrance, all visitors must show screening confirmation (green check mark) via phone or print out. Onsite paper-based contact tracing will continue to be made available for visitors who do not wish to complete online pre-screening.

Brampton Recreation Centre holiday hours

Holiday hours of operation can be viewed at www.brampton.ca/holidayhours. For more information on recreation programs and services, visit www.brampton.ca/recreation.   
 
Outdoor Amenities

Outdoor skating rinks will be open throughout the holiday season, weather permitting. Hours of operation and full details can be found at www.brampton.ca/outdoorskating. 

Mount Chinguacousy is our city’s destination for Skiing, Snowboarding and Tubing located at Chinguacousy Park. Mount Chinguacousy is scheduled to open on December 27, weather and snow conditions permitting. For all information, including hours of operation, open or closed status, and registration details, visit www.brampton.ca/MountChinguacousy.

Explore www.brampton.ca/winterwonderland for more outdoor winter fun opportunities and ongoing amenity status updates!
 
COVID-19 Vaccinations

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others. Appointments can now be booked for anyone five years and up through Ontario's vaccine booking system or by calling 1.833.943.3900.

Appointments can now be booked for individuals aged 18 and over to schedule their COVID-19 booster appointment if at least three months have passed since their last dose. To book an appointment, visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-ontario

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccinations, visit the Province’s vaccine portal.

Masks

Residents are reminded that the City has extended its Brampton COVID-19 Mandatory Face Mask By-law until April 1, 2022.

Under the COVID-19 Mandatory Face Mask By-law, non-medical masks are required in all indoor public spaces in Brampton. Scarves, bandanas, neck gaiters or neck warmers and masks with exhalation valves are not acceptable forms of face coverings. Also under the by-law, masks may only be removed for consumption of food or drink if an individual is seated in a designated area for that purpose.

The City thanks residents for continuing to do their part, physically distancing, practising good hygiene and wearing masks to help stop the spread.

Links
• City of Brampton COVID-19 programming and service updates
• Keeping businesses and workplaces safe during COVID-19
• Enhanced COVID-19 Vaccine Certificate with QR Code and Verify Ontario App
• COVID-19 vaccines

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