COVID-19: Government of Ontario Announces Shutdown and Stay at Home Orders to Continue in Peel

The Government of Ontario announced the shutdown, stay at home orders and all existing public health and workplace safety measures be maintained for an additional two weeks in Peel. The shutdown measures and the Stay-at-Home order will continue to apply until at least Monday, March 8, 2021, based on key public health indicators and following consultation with the local medical officers of health.

Mississauga residents should continue to stay at home as much as possible to minimize transmission of the virus and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

Mississauga as part of the Region of Peel, has been in Lockdown since November 23, 2020.

“While Mississauga has made huge progress in reducing COVID-19 case counts, our Medical Officer of Health is extremely worried about the dramatic increase in the number of variant cases, which we know are much more transmissible. And as hard as this news is, I believe this action is necessary to avoid an even longer lockdown,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “I feel particularly bad for our small business community that had been anticipating opening back up for in-person shopping. My priorities have always been ensuring schools are safe and remain open, protecting our seniors, that our hospitals maintain capacity, and that when small businesses open, they stay open.”

Continued measures include, but are not limited to:

• Restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household.
• Prohibiting in-person shopping in most retail settings – curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping.
• Restricting indoor access to shopping malls – patrons may only go to a designated indoor pickup area (by appointment only), essential retail stores that are permitted to be open (e.g. pharmacy, grocery store), or, subject to physical distancing and face covering requirements, to the food court for takeout purchases. Shopping malls may also establish outdoor designated pickup areas.
• Prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments will be permitted to operate by take out, drive-through, and delivery only.

“We will be continuing to strictly enforce the regulations,” said Sam Rogers, Director of Enforcement for the City of Mississauga. “People need to follow the rules. If our officers observe a violation, a charge will be laid.”

Failure to comply with these orders may result in a ticket for a set fine of $750. If the charge is laid by issuing a summons, a failure to comply with an emergency order charge could result in the following fines:

• up to $100,000 and up to a one-year imprisonment for an individual;
• $500,000 for a director or officer of a corporation; or
• $10,000,000 for a corporation upon conviction.

City Services

With the shutdown in place City services will continue to operate as they have since the start of the Lockdown on November 23. Civic Centre access is by appointment only.

Many public City facilities remain closed including:

• City community centres, including pools, fitness centres and arenas.

• • All indoor team sport activities, indoor in–person recreation programs including pools, arenas, fitness and culture programs remain cancelled

• Cultural facilities: Small Arms Building, Museums of Mississauga are closed; Living Arts Centre and Meadowvale Theatre remain closed for audience performances
• Public counters will be restricted to appointment only
• The Library will offer limited services including contactless holds pick up inside branches. Customers can reserve hold pick up times by appointment through the Library website or by calling library locations. Customers can continue to return items at outdoor dropboxes. A full suite of online programs and services is available through the Library’s website.

These facilities will be closed (or continue to be closed) to the public through to the end of the shutdown. Most services that can be, will be conducted online. Refer to the City Services Status page.

Support for Business

Guidance and resources to help Mississauga businesses can be found online at mississauga.ca/business-covid-19. If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to businesses or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Additional resources can also be found on the City’s Business Relief Portal.

Stay Safe and Help Stop the Spread:

• Limit in-person contact to people you live with and essential supports
• All indoor and outdoor private gatherings should be limited to only those you live with and essential supports
• Go virtual whenever possible
• Continue to practise physical distancing, hand-washing, masking and staying home as much as possible
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you are showing symptoms or have been exposed

Resources

• Learn about symptoms of COVID-19
• Find out where to get tested for COVID-19 in Mississauga
• Access information on how to self-isolate

You can also download the COVID-19 Alert app that can let you know of potential exposures.

The City of Mississauga continues to work closely with its health care partners and the Province and will continue to monitor Mississauga’s and Peel Region’s situation closely.

For information about the City’s response to COVID-19:

• Visit mississauga.ca/covid
• Follow @CityMississauga on Twitter and Facebook
• Watch Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s weekly COVID-19 press conference
• Contact 311 (905-615-4311) if outside of Mississauga

Tags

• COVID-19