Oakville moves into province-wide shutdown beginning Boxing Day

Mon, 21 Dec 2020

As part of the province-wide shutdown announced by the Premier today, Oakville will be placed in shutdown as of 12:01 a.m., Saturday, December 26, 2020. The shutdown will be in place for 28 days to determine if it is safe to lift any restrictions or if they need to be extended. The province’s current COVID-19 Response Framework will be paused when the province-wide shutdown comes into effect.

Measures under shutdown include, but are not limited to:

• No indoor organized public events or social gatherings, except with members of the same household.
• Indoor sports and recreational facilities, including pools, fitness centres and arenas are closed.
• Outdoor organized public events and outdoor social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people.
• Wedding services, funeral services, and religious services, rites or ceremonies are limited to 10 people indoors and outdoors.
• Indoor and outdoor dining services are prohibited. Restaurants, bars, and food and drink establishments may provide takeout, drive-through and delivery.
• Personal care services closed.

Please review the Province’s shutdown restrictions for complete details on what’s open and closed.

“This is certainly disappointing news for all of us, but it is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. While these restrictions come during our holiday season, I encourage you to please limit trips outside of your home to essential purposes,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Remember you can shop local during this time as many neighbourhood stores have implemented online shopping, and most restaurants are open for takeout and delivery.”

Impact on town services

As a result of the new restrictions, some town facilities may be closed and programs cancelled.  

Closed:

• Community centres, including pools, fitness centres and arenas (with some exceptions). All indoor Recreation and Culture programs, memberships and rental permits will be cancelled as of Saturday, December 26. Impacted customers will be notified directly and refunded. Visit our Virtual Recreation Programs page for virtual programming opportunities.
• Oakville Museum
• Oakville Centre for Performing Arts remains closed for live performances. Visit the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts website for online programming information.

Open:

• ServiceOakville counter at Town Hall will remain open during regular hours. Marriage licences and commissionings will be offered in-person by appointment only.
• The Oakville Public Library will offer adjusted services including online programming and Library Takeout. Visit the OPL website for details on these and other services.
• Trafalgar Park outdoor skating rink is open for pre-booked 45-minute time slots to control capacity limits. Book a time using Active Oakville.
• Visit the There’s Snow Place Like Home webpage for available outdoor winter activities.
• Please visit the Oakville Transit website for schedule changes.
• Many town services are still offered online. Please refer to the COVID-19 Information page for updates.

Town Hall is closed over the holidays from noon on December 24 until January 4. Please call 905-845-6601 to be connected with our after-hours service. Updates on town programs and services as a result of new public health guidelines will be posted on the town’s COVID-19 Information page and on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Reminders

On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, all Ontarians are advised to stay home as much as possible with trips outside the home limited to necessities such as food, medication, medical appointments, or supporting vulnerable community members.

Residents are reminded to follow the direction of Halton Region Public Health:

• Stay home, except for essential purposes such as going to work or school, buying essentials such as groceries, and attending medical appointments.
• Limit in-person contact to people you live with and essential supports.
• Continue to practise physical distancing from those outside your household, wash your hands often, and wear a mask.
• Download the COVID Alert app.

“By following these health and safety measures, together we can reduce the COVID-19 case numbers in Halton and allow our businesses and Town of Oakville programs to resume,” said Mayor Burton. “Our individual actions right now can either stop the spread of COVID-19 and get us back to normal, or lead to some devastating consequences. Let’s all do our part.”