Here is everything that’s closing under new COVID-19 restrictions in Mississauga

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Published October 9, 2020 at 7:34 pm

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The Region of Peel, along with Toronto and Ottawa, will be rolled back to a modified version of Stage 2 in response to a surge in new cases of COVID-19.

On Oct. 9, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams announced that more restrictions will be implemented in Peel (Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon) in a bid to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

The announcement came hours after Ontario reported 939 new cases of COVID-19, marking a new high in daily counts of the virus. According to the province, 336 of the new cases were in Toronto, 150 in Peel Region and 126 in Ottawa. The province is also reported five new deaths due to the virus.

At 2:30 pm, Ontario Premier Doug Ford officially announced that effective Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., the following measures will be in place in Toronto, Ottawa, Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon:

  • Reducing limits for all social gatherings and organized public events to a maximum of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained. The two limits may not be combined for an indoor-outdoor event;
  • Prohibiting indoor food and drink service in restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, including nightclubs and food court areas in malls;
  • Closing of:
    • Indoor gyms and fitness centres (i.e., exercise classes and weight and exercise rooms);
    • Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments;
    • Indoor cinemas;
    • Performing arts centres and venues;
    • Spectator areas in racing venues;
    • Interactive exhibits or exhibits with high risk of personal contact in museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, etc.;
    • Prohibiting personal care services where face coverings must be removed for the service (e.g. makeup application, beard trimming)
  • Prohibiting personal care services where face coverings must be removed for the service (e.g. makeup application, beard trimming);
  • Reducing the capacity limits for:
    • Tour and guide services to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
    • Real estate open houses to 10 people indoors, where physical distancing can be maintained.
    • In-person teaching and instruction (e.g. cooking class) to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, with exemptions for schools, child care centres, universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, private career colleges, the Ontario Police College, etc.
    • Meeting and event spaces to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, and
  • Limiting team sports to training sessions (no games or scrimmages).

Schools, child care centres, and places of worship will remain open. Before-school and after-school programs will also be exempt from these new restrictions.

Retail stores and indoor shopping malls and centres can also remain open at this time. 

Williams also said that dental clinics can remain open and that although people are encouraged to stay in their communities, there are no plans to impose official travel bans at this time. 

Effective Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., updated public health measures will apply to wedding receptions, including new gathering limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors at event spaces.

“The health experts presented the most recent health data which identified some alarming public health trends that require immediate attention and early action to keep people safe,” said Ford in a statement.

“That’s why we are making the difficult, but necessary decision to accept the health advice, and impose further restrictions in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region. By taking action ahead of the long weekend, we will help contain the spread in these hotspots, protect the surrounding communities, shield our seniors and most vulnerable, and contain the second wave surge. At the same time, we are providing support to our small businesses in these hotspots.”

In addition to the measures being implemented in the Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto public health unit regions, the Chief Medical Officer of Health is also urging all Ontarians to:

  • Limit trips outside of the home, except for essential purposes only such as work where it is not possible to work from home, school, grocery shopping, medical appointments, and outdoor healthy physical activity. In addition, travel to other regions in the province, especially from higher transmission to lower transmission areas, should only be for essential purposes;
  • Practise physical distancing of at least two metres with those outside your household;
  • Wear a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so; and
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly; and following gathering limits and rules.

The province is also encouraging everyone to download the new COVID Alert app on their smartphone from the Apple and Google Play app stores.

Ontario also announced it will work with the federal government make $300 million available to assist significantly affected businesses with fixed costs, including property taxes, hydro and natural gas bills.

This support will be provided by the province and will be made available in any region where these measures are necessary. 

“This funding builds on the actions the government has taken to support small businesses throughout the pandemic, including putting in place a temporary moratorium on commercial evictions, making $60 million available for a $1,000 grant for small businesses to offset the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE), and exploring options to permanently allow restaurants and bars to include alcohol with food as part of a takeout or delivery order,” the province said in a news release.

The restrictions will be in effect for at least 28 days. 

With files from The Canadian Press

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