BRAMPTON, ON (January 4, 2022) – Following the Government of Ontario’s announcement yesterday, the City of Brampton is preparing to temporarily return to a modified Step Two of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen this Wednesday, January 5, at 12:01 am.
Province’s health and safety measures effective January 5
As of January 5, the following measures will be in place under the modified Step Two of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen:
- Social gatherings permitted to five people indoors and 10 people outdoors.
- Organized public events permitted to five people indoors.
- Businesses and organizations required to ensure employees work remotely unless the nature of their work requires them to be on-site.
- Indoor weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites and ceremonies limited to 50 per cent capacity of the particular room. Outdoor services are limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 metres of physical distance. Social gatherings associated with these services must adhere to the social gathering limits.
- Retail settings, including shopping malls, permitted at 50 per cent capacity. Physical distancing will be required in line-ups, loitering will not be permitted and food courts will be required to close. Personal care services permitted at 50 per cent capacity. Saunas, steam rooms, and oxygen bars closed.
- Closing indoor dining at restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments. Outdoor dining with restrictions, takeout, drive through and delivery is permitted.
- Indoor meeting and event spaces will close with limited exceptions; outdoor spaces to remain open with restrictions.
- Public libraries limited to 50 per cent capacity.
- Restricting the sale of alcohol after 10 pm and the consumption of alcohol on-premise in businesses or settings after 11 pm. Delivery and takeout, grocery/convenience stores and other liquor stores exempted.
- Closing indoor concert venues, theatres, and cinemas.
- Rehearsals and recorded performances permitted with restrictions.
- Closing museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions, amusement parks and waterparks, tour and guide services and fairs, rural exhibitions, and festivals. Outdoor establishments permitted to open with restrictions and with spectator occupancy, where applicable, limited to 50 per cent capacity.
- Closing indoor sport and recreational fitness facilities including gyms, except for athletes training for the Olympics and Paralympics and select professional and elite amateur sport leagues. Outdoor facilities are permitted to operate but with the number of spectators not to exceed 50 per cent occupancy and other requirements.
Province’s business supports
The Province is introducing the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program to support businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures. They are also providing additional support to help improve cash flows for Ontario businesses by providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes. For more information on supports available for businesses, visit the Province’s website.
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.
Brampton Transit
Brampton Transit is operating at reduced service levels until further notice. Select terminal hours of operation may be adjusted as well.
For the most up-to-date route schedule and hours of operation information, customers are encouraged to call Brampton Transit’s Contact Centre at 905.874.2999. For regular service updates, visit www.bramptontransit.com or follow @bramptontransit on Twitter.
When travelling, individuals who use Brampton Transit are reminded to wear a tight-fitting mask on the bus and at terminals, and avoid lowering masks for eating or drinking while commuting unless it is a medical emergency. Riders are also reminded to carry their own personal disinfectant when travelling, such as hand sanitizer or wipes, wash their hands often, and cough or sneeze into their elbow.
An enhanced cleaning and sanitizing schedule remains in effect. It is Brampton Transit’s goal to disinfect all hard surfaces, operator compartments and seats every 48 hours. The majority of buses are currently sanitized every 24 hours. Facilities and terminals that have hard surfaces are wiped down and sanitized on a daily basis.
Indoor recreational amenities
Beginning Wednesday, January 5, 2022, City of Brampton recreation centres will be temporarily closed and all indoor recreation programs and services will be suspended.
Updates regarding recreation services and amenities can be found at www.brampton.ca/recreation.
Drop-in programming: Clients with existing reservations for fitness, swim, skate and sports programs scheduled will receive an automatic credit on their account.
Registered programming: Winter registered sessional programs are temporarily suspended until the week of January 31, 2022. Program end dates will not be adjusted. Winter registered program registrants will receive a pro-rated credit on their client account to make up for the reduced session duration.
Facility bookings: Indoor sports and facility rentals are suspended with limited exceptions. Contract holders will be contacted by staff beginning January 4, 2022, to have their bookings rescheduled or cancelled and a credit issued to their account. Please note staff will be contacting contract holders in chronological order starting with bookings taking place on January 5, 2022.
Memberships: One-month memberships will be cancelled and credited their value prorated as of January 5, 2022. Refunds can be requested by email by contacting recreationadmin@brampton.ca.
Outdoor recreational amenities
Outdoor skating rinks will continue to operate on a first-come, first-served basis, weather and ice conditions permitting. Visitors are encouraged to visit www.brampton.ca/outdoorskating for updates to outdoor skating guidelines and outdoor rink operational status prior to their visit.
Mount Chinguacousy drop-in skiing, snowboarding and tubing is tentatively scheduled to open on January 14, 2022, weather and snow conditions permitting. Proof of vaccination requirements are in place for visits to the ski chalet to purchase lift tickets. For more information regarding proof of vaccination status requirements when visiting the ski chalet, visit www.brampton.ca/mountching.
The Rose and performing arts facilities
All indoor City of Brampton performing art facilities will temporarily close for performances with an in-person audience as of January 5, 2021.
A full ticket refund for credit/cheque, account credit, or donation is available to all ticket-holders, by emailing boxoffice@brampton.ca.
Brampton Entrepreneur Centre
The Brampton Entrepreneur Centre team is here to support businesses during this difficult time. Businesses can book an on-line appointment at www.brampton.ca/skiptheline.
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.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Media Relations, City of Brampton
mediarelations@brampton.ca
