COVID-19 restrictions remain in place until Ontario enters Step One of reopening plan

MARKHAM, ON – June 1, 2021 – As of Wednesday, June 2 at 12:01 AM, the provincewide Stay-at-Home Order will expire. All other COVID-19 public health and workplace measures will remain in effect until the Province enters Step One of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. Current restrictions include a ban on indoor gatherings, restricting non-essential retail to curbside pick-up and restricting restaurants to take-out and delivery. Outdoor recreation and outdoor gatherings of up to five people will still be allowed. The Province of Ontario will not be returning to the colour-coded COVID-19 response framework.

Residents are reminded to follow public health recommendations before and after getting vaccinated to help protect themselves and others:
  • Wear a mask or face covering
  • Keep a safe distance of 2 metres/6 feet
  • Wash your hands
  • Monitor your health
  • Follow gathering limits
The City of Markham’s COVID-19 affected services will be as follows until the Province enters Step One of its reopening plan:
  • Select outdoor recreational amenities are open, including tennis courts, pickleball courts, sports fields (non-team use), skate parks and basketball courts (outdoor gathering restrictions and physical distancing measures in place)
  • Parks, splash pads and playgrounds remain open
  • All park-facility washrooms remain open
  • Outdoor, in-person recreation and fitness programs remain cancelled (programs to resume when Step One begins)
  • Library, recreation and fitness programs continue to be offered virtually
  • City-owned community centres, arenas, pools, fitness centres, the Markham Museum, the Flato Markham Theatre and the Varley Art Gallery remain closed
  • Flato Markham Theatre continues to stream virtual performances
  • Varley Art Gallery continues to offer virtual school programs and will offer online exhibitions and related programs
  • Markham Museum continues to offer online exhibitions and activities
  • Markham Public Library continues to offer select online services
  • Markham Public Library curbside pick-up of holds and returns will be available at Markham Village, Thornhill Village and Unionville locations
  • City services continue to be offered to residents and businesses virtually and in-person (services requiring in-person assistance require an appointment)
  • Markham Recycling Depots remain open

The province may enter Step One as early as two weeks after 60 per cent of Ontario’s adults receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and if key indicators, such as risk of COVID-19 variants, hospitalizations, ICU occupancy and new hospital admissions and case rates continue to decline. Based on current trends in key health indicators, the Government of Ontario expects to enter Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen mid-June. The Province will confirm timelines closer to the expected start of Step One.

Businesses that are looking to better understand COVID-19 health and safety regulations as Ontario reopens can visit markham.ca/CovidEnforcement. All local restaurants, retailers and artisans are encouraged to join Destination Markham’s online business listing at visitmarkham.ca, where they can be found quickly by a community eager to support local. Finance, tax and legal workshops, as well as pre-recorded webinars, continue to be available via the Markham Small Business Centre during these challenging times.

As we navigate the pandemic together, the City of Markham continues to monitor and follow advice from public health officials at the federal, provincial and regional levels.

It is critically important that we each continue to do our part to keep one another safe. It is not the time to let your guard down. Every action counts.

Visit markham.ca/covid19 for more information.

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