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How new provincial regulations will affect local facilities (update)

All outdoor recreation facilities locally will be closed to public access
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Update: Under the new provincial stay-at-home restrictions, dog off-leash parks can remain open.

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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The Government of Ontario has announced further COVID-19 restrictions for the entire province, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2021. As well, a provincial shutdown remains in effect for the province.

A state of emergency, which has been in place for over a year, remains in effect for the City of Barrie.

The provincial stay-at-home order requires everyone to remain at home and only leave for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, or essential work, accessing health care services, or for outdoor exercise. All travel should be avoided.

Please note the following is subject to additional input or further restrictions by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. The full list of additional restrictions is listed on the Provincial government website/ Measures include, but are not limited to:

  • Outdoor gatherings will be strictly limited to members of the same household only, or with one other household if that individual lives alone.
  • In-person shopping at stores that primarily sell food and pharmaceutical goods, grocery, and “big box” stores will be restricted to 25 per cent occupancy.
  • Only essential construction will be able to continue (e.g., assessment centres, hospitals, long-term care homes). Non-essential construction (e.g., shopping malls, office towers, and hotels) is not allowed.
  • All outdoor amenities will be closed (e.g., playgrounds, basketball courts).
  • Restricting indoor participation at places of worship, funerals, and weddings to 10 people.

What does this mean for Barrie residents? Previous measures remain in effect for City services and now also include the following:

City Hall:

  • City Hall is closed to the public. The City’s customer service centre, Service Barrie, can be reached via email ([email protected]) or by phone (705-726-4242) only. Service Barrie representatives are available Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents are encouraged to visit barrie.ca/OnlineServices to apply for small building permits and to pay for parking or speeding tickets. Property taxes and water/wastewater bills can be paid through telephone/internet banking, through a drop box at City Hall, or via a post-dated cheque by mail.

City outdoor recreation amenities:

  • All City of Barrie municipal playground equipment, waterfront fitness equipment, skateboard parks, tennis courts, basketball courts and picnic areas/pavilions will be closed to public access. Meridian Place in downtown Barrie will also be closed to the public. Signage will be installed as soon as possible.

Development Services:

  • The Planner of the Day is available to answer planning related questions online or by phone only. Email [email protected] or call 705-726-4242.

Building Inspections:

  • The City will suspend inspections that do not meet the criteria for essential construction.

City construction projects:

  • City construction projects can continue.

Barrie Public Library:

  • The Barrie Public Library remains closed for in-person visits. Express pick-up of materials, online programs and coaching sessions, wireless and remote printing services, and access to the Digital Library continue. Returns are accepted at both outdoor return slots 24/7.

Landfill:

  • The landfill remains open with a reduced capacity (10 vehicles at a time). Residents are required to wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others.

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

The City encourages residents to support local. To learn more about the supports available to businesses through the pandemic, visit barrie.ca/SupportforBusiness.

City staff continue to take reports regarding violations at 705-739-4241 and [email protected].

For detailed and up-to-date information on the local vaccination plan, visit the Health Unit's website.

Additional 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
  • Barrie Police Service non-emergency line: 705-725-7025
  • Canadian Mental Health Association: cmha.ca
  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or kidshelpphone.ca
  • Barrie and Area Healthcare options: barriehealth.ca/

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