NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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Barrie residents are invited to participate in a virtual egg hunt from home this weekend. In light of COVID-19, the virtual egg hunt replaces the egg hunts that typically happen at City recreation centres each year. The Easter Bunny has hidden eggs across the city that can only be found using Discover Barrie, the city’s Geographic information System (GIS) mapping tool. Visit www.barrie.ca/StayHome to access the map and clues.
This week, Premier Doug Ford declared the Easter Bunny an essential service under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The order also confirmed the Easter Bunny is not allowed to deliver treats in parks, playgrounds or any outdoor recreational amenities. The virtual egg hunt is a way for residents to still enjoy Easter fun, while physical distancing.
“Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen many cancellations and closures due to the need for physical distancing to fight the spread of COVID-19—but fun and laughter is not cancelled,” said Mayor Jeff Lehman. “I hope this virtual egg hunt brings a moment of light-heartedness to Barrie homes during these challenging times.”
To learn more about Discover Barrie, visit https://discover.barrie.ca.
Residents are reminded to avoid getting together with anyone outside of their immediate households this long weekend to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Government of Ontario has banned gatherings of more than five people, so instead of get-togethers this weekend, residents are encouraged to connect with each other through phone, email, social media, video conferencing or other methods that allow for physical distancing.
Individuals not adhering to physical distancing regulations can be fined a minimum of $500 and maximum of up to $100,000 for each offence.
Affected services this Easter weekend
In addition to the list of services impacted by COVID-19, please note the following changes to Barrie Transit and Curbside Collection due to the upcoming holidays.
Barrie Transit
There will be no Transit service on Friday, April 10 or Sunday, April 12. Regular Hourly Service returns on Monday, April 13. For full information on Transit service impacts due to COVID-19, please visit www.barrie.ca/TransitNotices.
Curbside Collection
There will be no garbage, organics, recycling and yard waste collection on Friday, April 10 in Barrie. Collection for this day will occur on Saturday, April 11. Collection will occur as usual on Monday, April 13, and will remain on the regular schedule throughout the week. Yard Waste collection occurs weekly during the months of April, May and June. Please have materials curbside by 7 a.m. (www.barrie.ca/CurbsideCollection) The Landfill remains closed to the public at this time due to COVID-19.
Reminder: The City is offering three free garbage tags to eligible households who request them until June 30; this does not apply to residents of all multi-residential buildings and complexes. Residents who require garbage tags can email [email protected] or call Service Barrie at 705-726-4242 and provide their name and address. Three garbage tags per residential address can be requested. The city asks that only one additional bag (with a tag) be used per garbage collection week. The limit of one extra tagged bag of garbage also applies to those residents who purchased bag tags outside of the three free bags.
Resources
- Service Barrie: 705-726-4242 or [email protected]
- Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: 705-721-7520 or simcoemuskokahealth.org/
- Ontario 211: Community and Social Services: call 211 or visit communityconnection.ca
- Canadian Mental Health Association: cmha.ca
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or kidshelpphone.ca
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