Under shutdown restrictions, residents must limit close contact to those in their immediate household and stay home as much as possible, except for essential purposes. This includes work (where it is not possible to work from home), grocery shopping, medical appointments or getting outside for exercise.

Please continue to follow public health advice: maintain physical distancing, properly wear a mask, wash your hands, and if sick, stay home.

Under these new restrictions, there are no indoor organized public events and social gatherings permitted, except with members of your same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive, close contact with another household.

In addition, gathering limits under the shutdown are as follows, where physical distancing can be maintained:

• 5 people outdoors for all organized public events and social gatherings; and,
• a capacity limit of 15% indoors or to the limited number of people that can maintain two metres physical distance outdoors for religious services, weddings and funerals – masks must be worn.

Indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants and bars is no longer permitted. Take-out, drive-through, delivery and curbside pick-up can continue. Indoor gyms and fitness centres must close. Personal care services (including hair and nail salons), movie theatres and performing arts facilities must also close.

The Province is encouraging any business with questions about the impacts of the province-wide shutdown to call 1.855.216.3090 or visit ontario.ca/covidsupport for more information.

The Town encourages residents to continue to shop local to support Whitby businesses during this time – order take-out, do curbside pick-up, purchase gift cards.

Effective at the close of business hours today, Town Hall will be closed for in-person appointments like marriage licences, civil ceremonies, assessment roll book viewing and commissioner of oaths, until further notice.

There continue to be many ways to connect with the Town, whether it’s online, over the phone or by email. For a list of frequently used services and how to access them, visit whitby.ca/services.

All of the Town’s recreation facilities, including Iroquois Park Sports Centre, will be closed to the public effective today, April 1, at the close of regular facility hours until further notice. This includes the Whitby Civic Recreation Complex health club, as well as all indoor ice rinks and pools. This means pool permits, ice permits and private meeting room bookings have also been suspended until further notice. Refunds will be issued for any cancelled permits or bookings. All memberships have been or will be placed on hold and pre-authorized payments suspended. For membership questions or cancellations, please contact us at getactive@whitby.ca.

Registration for the Town’s virtual session of its Spring Recreation Programming is now open at whitby.ca/getactive. To receive updates on re-opening plans and other virtual program opportunities, visit whitby.ca/subscribe.

Please note that McKinney Arena will continue to operate as a COVID-19 vaccination site.