NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF NEWMARKET
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In response to the Province of Ontario’s emergency brake shutdown, by the end of the day today, the Town of Newmarket will be closing its indoor recreational amenities at the Magna Centre, which includes the fitness centre, the pool and the ice rinks for the next four weeks.
“The next month is going to be difficult for the community as we enter into the Province of Ontario’s emergency brake shutdown. As COVID-19 cases, in particular, with the younger generation have been rising, we need to work together to help lessen the effects of this pandemic. If we want to support small businesses and keep the shutdown to only four weeks, we need to follow the guidelines now more than ever,” says Mayor John Taylor.
"Now is not the time to be seeing your friends or family outside of your household as our health-care workers and ICU doctors are at their capacity limits. Please continue to do your part by staying home if possible, being vigilant with physical distancing, wearing masks and hand-washing.”
Newmarket trails, parks and outdoor amenities will remain open with strict health and safety measures in place. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise among the younger population and in an effort to ensure the health and safety of all outdoor amenity users, the Town is reminding users to follow the rules posted at each location. If the rules aren’t followed and safety cannot be assured, the Town will have no choice but to close the outdoor amenity within 24 hours.
While within the provincewide emergency brake shutdown, residents are encouraged to stay at home and only go out for essential purposes such as work, exercise, groceries, medical appointments etc. Indoor gatherings are only allowed with members of the same household while outdoor gatherings are limited to five people while maintaining physical distancing of at least 6 feet/two metres at all times.
Essential stores remain open at 50 per cent capacity, while other non-essential stores can remain open with a 25 per cent capacity limit. Restaurants will be closed for in-person dining and patios will remain closed, while take-out and delivery options remain available. The Town will continue to work closely with local restaurants on the 2021 patio program to ensure patios are able to open when permitted to do so by the province.
The Town of Newmarket encourages all small businesses to apply for the Ontario Small Business Support grant that provides between $20,000 and $40,000 in funding to businesses impacted by the provincewide shutdown. Businesses can also apply for the Main Street Relief Grant for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (available to micro businesses employing two to 19 people) and the property tax and energy cost rebate grants. Applications close on April 7, 2021 and small businesses can apply online.
The Town strongly urges the community to continue to Choose Local and support local businesses through curbside pick-up, online shopping, take-out and delivery options and by purchasing gift cards when possible. Please visit newmarket.ca/ChooseLocal for more information.
The Newmarket Public Library remains open with strict health and safety measures in place. Learn more by visiting newmarketpl.ca.
The Town continues to offer alternative ways to serve the community. Our customer service associates are available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help guide and assist residents by emailing [email protected] or calling 905-895-5193. For after-hours service, please call 905-895-5193 and press 3.
COVID-19 resources:
For more information on the what’s open and closed in Newmarket, visit newmarket.ca/reopen
For more information on COVID-19 in York Region, visit york.ca/covid19 or ontario.ca/coronavirus
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