BRAMPTON, ON (January 25, 2021) – Following the Government of Ontario’s announcement last week, the City of Brampton is preparing to update programs and services and reopen some facilities beginning January 31, 2022.
Province’s health and safety measures effective January 31
As of Monday, January 31 at 12:01 am, the following measures will be in place:
• Increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
• Increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to:
o Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;
o Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies);
o Shopping malls;
o Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;
o Cinemas;
o Meeting and event spaces;
o Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks;
o Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions;
o Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and
o Religious services, rites, or ceremonies.
• Allowing spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues and theatres to operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.
Enhanced proof of vaccination and other requirements will continue to apply in existing settings.
City services, programs and facilities
City Hall and Corporate facilities
As of February 21, City Hall and Corporate facilities will open for walk-in services. Until then, services are by appointment only. To book an appointment, visit www.brampton.ca/skiptheline.
More details related to facility meeting spaces and rentals will be provided in the coming weeks.
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 routes schedule and hours of operation, 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.
Recreation
Indoor recreational amenities
Recreation Centres will reopen on Monday, January 31 for scheduled registered and drop-in programming. In accordance with provincial regulations, capacity limits at recreation centres will be reduced to fifty per cent. Pre-registration is not required for visits to recreation centres, however, it is recommended that visitors purchase their services online in advance of their visit as all services are first-come, first-served. Available programs can be viewed online by visiting www.brampton.ca/registerforprograms beginning Wednesday, January 26 at 10 am.
Winter registered sessional programs
The winter registered session will resume beginning the week of January 31 for a shortened session. Program end dates will not be adjusted. Participants who previously registered for winter programs have received a pro-rated credit on their client account to make up for the reduced session duration.
Memberships
Membership sales will resume beginning Wednesday, January 26 at 10 am. Available membership options can be viewed at www.brampton.ca/memberships.
Proof of Vaccination Requirements
All visitors 12 years of age and older entering City of Brampton recreation centres are required to show proof of vaccination status. This applies to all participants and spectators in recreation centres, including youth, coaches, instructors, caregivers, volunteers and game officials.
Children who turn 12 years-old in 2022 (born in 2010) are to be provided a grace period of 12 weeks from their birthdate, during which they will not need to show proof of vaccination at indoor sports and recreational facilities. This will allow children the time needed to be vaccinated and meet proof of vaccination requirements. After the 12 week grace period is over, they will be required to show proof of vaccination.
Accepted Proof of Vaccination Methods
Visitors to recreation centres will be required to use the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app. The QR code can be used digitally or by printing a paper copy. Individuals can download their enhanced certificate with QR code by visiting here. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test will not be accepted as an alternative to proof of full vaccination. Written medical exemptions are no longer accepted to access recreation centres.
Online Screening
All visitors will have the option to complete an online screening and contact tracing form prior to arrival at City of Brampton recreation centres. To access the online screening tool, visit here. Visitors can save time by completing the pre-screening questions online using a smartphone/computer in advance of their visit. Upon arrival at the designated screening area/entrance, all visitors must show screening confirmation (green check mark) via phone. Onsite paper-based contact tracing will continue to be made available for visitors who do not wish to complete online pre-screening.
Outdoor recreational amenities
Outdoor programming and amenities, including outdoor skating and Mount Chinguacousy, continue to be available. Up-to-date information regarding outdoor programs and services is available at www.brampton.ca/winterwonderland. 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.
The Rose and performing arts facilities
All indoor City of Brampton performing arts facilities remain available for rehearsals and recorded performances. Performances with in person audiences will resume in March 2022, with applicable COVID-19 restrictions.
Outdoor programming will take place in Garden Square for Family Day on February 21, 2022.
Refunds for credit/cheque, account credit, or donation continue to be available to all ticket-holders, by emailing boxoffice@brampton.ca.
Additional details are available at www.therosebrampton.ca.
The LBP and Cyril Clark theatres will reopen March 2022 with applicable COVID-19 restrictions.
Brampton Library
All Brampton LIbrary branches are open daily for in-branch services, except Mount Pleasant Village, which offers daily curbside pickup service only. Coming soon, residents can enjoy outdoor story walks installed at Professor's Lake, Loafer's Lake and Chinguacousy parks. Chinguacousy Branch Library is lending free winter activity kits on a first-come first-served basis while quantities last. For details visit www.bramptonlibrary.ca.
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
