Impacts of the provincewide shutdown in the City of Barrie

As declared by the Province, Ontario will move to a provincewide shutdown effective at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2020. The lockdown will remain in effect for 28 days in Southern Ontario regions, including Barrie. The current COVID-19 Response Framework will be paused when the provincewide shutdown comes into effect.

The shutdown means widescale measures and restrictions, including closures. Astate of emergency, which was declared by Mayor Jeff Lehman on March 23, remains in effect for the City of Barrie.

 The following measures are part of the provincewide shutdown. 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. 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.

What does this mean for Barrie residents? The following framework outlines the City services affected as part of the shutdown. Please note the following is subject to additional input or further restrictions by the SMDHU. Previous measures remain in effect for City services and now also include the following:

City Hall:

City Hall (70 Collier St.) will be closed to the public, except for pre-booked appointments through Service Barrie three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), effective the week of Tuesday, December 29 following the statutory holiday. Residents must call 705-726-4242 to book an appointment. For a complete list of services available at Service Barrie, visitbarrie.ca/COVID19.

Recreation:Allandale Recreation Centre, Holly Community Centre, East Bayfield Community Centre, Eastview Arena and Sadlon Arena will close to the public. There will be no in-person programs/activity offerings. Virtual program offerings will continue, and Barrie's Virtual Family New Year's Countdown will continue as planned on December 31.Allandale Recreation Centre will be open solely for use by Mariposa's high-performance athletes. Outdoor rinks will remain open with capacity limits.

Landfill:The landfill will remain open with a reduced capacity (10 vehicles at a time). The City asks all residents visiting the landfill to wear a mask.

The status of all other City services (including transit, POA Courts, etc.) will remain the same during the shutdown as they were in the former Red-Control level with stated capacity limits.

For the most up-to-date information on the status of City services, visitbarrie.ca/COVID19.

Residents are reminded that these general health and safety measures remain in effect for Barrie:As the festive season continues, follow the limits on close contacts, social gatherings and events to protect you, your family, friends, and coworkers from COVID-19 this holiday season. Virtual gatherings or events are the safest way to visit or recognize occasions with people outside your household.People should only have close contact with their direct household.Workplace screening must take place.Face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces, at workplaces, and recommended in places when physical distancing is not possible.Restrict all non-essential travel and outings.Monitor for symptoms and stay home if you are sick. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, get tested.

The City is doing everything possible, in cooperation with the provincial and federal governments, to minimize impact and see economic recovery take place as soon as possible. This includes advancing the Downtown Curbside Pickup Pilot Program, a one-year pilot program that will provide dedicated curbside pickup spots in the downtown core. The City encourages residents to support local and take advantage of curbside pickup. To learn more about the supports available to businesses through the pandemic, visitbarrie.ca/SupportforBusiness. 

For detailed and up-to-date information and steps you should take to stay safe during the pandemic, visit theHealth Unit's website.

City staff continue to take reports regarding by-law violations at 705-739-4241 andenforcement.services@barrie.ca.

Additional Resources:Service Barrie: 705-726-4242Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: 705-721-7520 orsimcoemuskokahealth.org/Ontario 211: Community and Social Services: call 211 or visitcommunityconnection.caBarrie Police Service Non-Emergency Line: 705-725-7025Canadian Mental Health Association:cmha.caKids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 orkidshelpphone.caBarrie and Area Healthcare options:barriehealth.ca/