COVID-19: Government of Ontario Announces Provincewide Shutdown in Effect in Peel until January 23, 2021

The Government of Ontario announced a Provincewide shutdown to take effect on December 26, 2020 and remain in effect in Southern Ontario, including the Region of Peel until January 23, 2021. Prior to December 26, Mississauga remains in the Grey-Lockdown Level of the current COVID-19 Response Framework which will be paused when the Provincewide shutdown comes into effect.

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, the Provincewide shutdown comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise at an alarming rate. Additional restrictions will be put into place and reinforce that Ontarians should 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.

“I support Premier Ford’s decision on a Provincewide shutdown. While I and many others in Mississauga were hoping that we would be moved out of lockdown by the New Year, this is regrettably not the case,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “The reality is that while COVID-19 case numbers in Peel are beginning to plateau, the situation at our hospitals remains dire, with elective surgeries being cancelled and patients being transferred to neighbouring regions to make room for a surge in COVID patients.”

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 must remain vigilant and continue listening to the advice our health experts – to stay home as much as possible, only leave for the essentials and limit your close in-person contact to just your immediate household,” added Mayor Crombie. “I firmly believe that these continued measures will help us avoid a longer shutdown in 2021.”

The upcoming holidays won’t be slowing down the City’s Enforcement Division. To sustain Mississauga’s enforcement efforts, additional staff from various departments have been re-assigned to assist with proactive inspections. Additionally, Enforcement Officers were re-assigned from their regular duties to investigate public complaints.

“We will be strictly enforcing 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.

To date, 171 tickets, 5 summons and 116 Notices of Contravention were issued to both individuals and businesses.

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.

City Service Cancellations, Disruptions, Closures and Updates

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 & 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.

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
• COVID-19 Updates