WRBA Update Feb

Local municipalities adjust operations as provincial stay-at-home orders take effect

Waterloo Region – Earlier this week, the Province of Ontario declared a second state of emergency and issued stay-at-home orders that went into effect Thursday. Waterloo Region cities and townships continue to work together with local police, public health officials and the Region of Waterloo to meet the new provincial public health measures and to communicate stay-at-home orders.

Additional public health restrictions require Waterloo Region residents to stay at home unless it’s for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work. Face coverings are mandatory in indoor areas of businesses and organizations that are open, with limited exceptions. Face coverings are also recommended outdoors in areas where physical distance can’t be maintained.

The new restrictions also require: all non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m. outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are further restricted to a limit of five people with limited exceptions.

Enforcement
Police and By-law continue to engage, explain, educate and enforce. The updated emergency order authorizes local Police and Bylaw officers to: Disperse crowds or issue tickets/fines for indoor gatherings involving people who don’t live together. Disperse crowds or issue tickets/fines for outdoor gatherings of more than five people who don’t live together. Issue tickets/fines to people who refuse to wear a face covering as required. Disperse crowds larger than five people. Close commercial businesses that are not in compliance with the regulations.

Failure to comply could result in a $750 fine. Obstructing anyone from performing their duty could result in a $10,000 fine.

Municipal services and Council meetings
Municipal offices and city halls remain closed to the general public with limited in-person services. Visit your municipal website for more information on services that are available online.

Council and committee meetings will remain virtual. Visit your municipal website for details.

Parks, trails, toboggan hills and outdoor rinks
Parks, playgrounds and trails remain open across Waterloo Region. Residents are encouraged to stay close to home, explore your ‘hood and walk your block! Avoid crowded parking lots and use nearby parks and outdoor amenities for exercise and physical activity.

For communities that have them, outdoor rinks remain open. Users will be required to wear face coverings. Rink capacity will be limited and residents are encouraged to follow posted signage, assess rink conditions and avoid crowds. Please remember to stay safe and stay off stormwater ponds and other bodies of water. For more information, visit your city or township website.

City of Kitchener tobogganing hills will remain open when conditions allow. Face coverings are strongly recommended and physical distancing rules apply. Residents are asked to reduce crowding by avoiding busy locations and keeping visits short. To help ease parking congestion at McLennan Park in Kitchener, changes have been made to parking. Visit www.kitchener.ca/tobogganing for details.

City-run Farmers’ Markets
The Cambridge Farmers’ Market will remain open on Saturdays as an essential service. For details visit www.cambridgefarmersmarket.ca

The Kitchener Farmers’ Market, lower market hall and produce areas remain open on Saturdays as an essential service. The food hall remains closed. For details visit www.kitchenermarket.ca

The municipalities of Waterloo Region continue to work together to offer a standardized approach to provincial measures. For more information, visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca, www.cambridge.ca, www.kitchener.ca, www.waterloo.ca, www.northdumfries.ca, www.wellesley.ca, www.wilmot.ca, or www.woolwich.ca.

Thank you for doing your part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Waterloo Region.