Newmarket is celebrating the Aug. 3 Simcoe Day/August Civic Holiday differently this year.
Restrictions implemented by the Ontario government to halt the spread of COVID-19 remain in place in Newmarket and York Region in stage 3, including limits on indoor gatherings of 50 people and on outdoor gatherings of 100 people and staying apart by at least six feet or two metres unless you're from the same household or social circle.
Although Newmarket and York Region are in stage 3 of reopening, many businesses will be closed Monday, including Upper Canada Mall.
Fireworks are not permitted on the Civic Holiday.
What’s Open:
- Parks, green spaces and trails, sports fields and playgrounds with physical distancing requirements
- Tim Hortons Water Feature at Riverwalk Commons, with physical distancing requirements
- Splash pads at 170 London Rd. and 850 Memorial Circle, with physical distancing requirements
- Some malls and shopping centres (not Upper Canada Mall or Hillcrest Mall ), including Promenade Shopping Mall (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Vaughan Mills, Tanger Outlet (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), CF Markville Mall. Not all retail outlets in the malls are open, so call ahead.
- Some grocery stores, including the Walmart Supercentre on Yonge Street, but call ahead.
- Select The Beer Store locations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., including 1100 Davis Dr. and 18307 Yonge St. in Newmarket; 14800 Yonge St. and 15820 Bayview Ave. in Aurora; 452 Holland St. W. in Bradford; 443 The Queensway S. in Keswick.
- GO Transit is on a Saturday schedule, check here for more.
- Transit in York Region is on a Sunday schedule. Click here for more.
- Some health clinics, pharmacies. You can search for local pharmacies and clinics here.
What’s Closed:
- Upper Canada Mall
- LCBO and most The Beer Store outlets
- Most banks and businesses
- Municipal building, Newmarket Public Library
- SilverCity Newmarket movie theatre
- Canada Post will not collect or deliver mail, though postal outlets operated by the private sector will be open
- Town of Newmarket Municipal Offices, Newmarket Public Library, Newmarket Theatre, Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, Seniors' Meeting Place, Elman W. Campbell Museum, Old Town Hall
Day tripping
Some tourist sites are open in Toronto with ticket purchases required in advance online, including:
- Toronto Islands
- Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
- Toronto Zoo and scenic safari drive thru