Newmarket-Aurora MPP, Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliot writes a regular column for NewmarketToday about provincial initiatives and issues impacting our community.
Newmarket-Aurora enters stage 3
I hope that everyone has been enjoying the summer and staying cool during the recent heat wave. As of July 24, York Region entered stage 3 of reopening, which means even more businesses in Newmarket-Aurora are able to reopen. Our local businesses have been preparing and are ready to safely welcome you back.
Our regional and gradual approach will help us build on our successes as a province, while ensuring we continue to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians. With more shops, businesses and amenities reopen, it’s important that all Ontarians continue to follow public health advice, including practising physical distancing, wearing a face covering if physical distancing is a challenge, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
In stage 3, you can now safely enjoy dining at your favourite local restaurants indoor, you can make plans to go back to the gym and continue to support businesses by shopping locally and look for Ontario-made products. Social gatherings have been expanded to include up to 50 people indoors or 100 people outdoors.
It is still important to keep two metres apart from others outside of your social circle, which remain at a maximum of 10 people. Social circles are the people with whom you can have close contact and do not need to maintain physical distance.
For the health and safety of everyone, some restrictions and public health measures, such as physical distancing, will remain in place for restaurants and bars.
These restrictions include:
- Nightclubs remaining closed, however, they are able to serve food and drinks to seated customers;
- Buffets and self-serve food services are not permitted;
- Restaurants and bars must ensure tables are separated by two metres or a barrier such as plexiglass;
- Singing or music may be performed by a person or group at a restaurant or bar with physical distancing and;
- Dancing may only be performed by someone working at the restaurant or bar.
$4 billion to support municipalities and transit
The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, is providing up to $4 billion in urgently needed one-time assistance to Ontario's 444 municipalities, including Newmarket and Aurora.
Through the Safe Restart Agreement, this funding will help local governments maintain the critical services people rely on every day, including public transit, over the next six to eight months. This funding is part of the province's made-in-Ontario plan for renewal, growth and economic recovery.
This historic agreement includes $777 million from the federal government and $1.22 billion from the province to support municipalities. In addition, up to $2 billion will be shared equally between Ontario and the federal government to support transit operators to continue safely getting people in communities like Newmarket and Aurora where they need to go.
The Safe Restart Agreement will help ensure a strong and safe recovery for Ontario through investments in testing, contact tracing and data management; health care capacity and mental health; protecting vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness and seniors in long-term care facilities; securing personal protective equipment (PPE); child care for returning workers; and support for municipalities and public transit systems.
Please continue reach out to my constituency office with any provincial matter. My office is here to support you. Call at 905-853-9889 or email [email protected]
