The speculation has been rampant over the last couple of weeks about who was going into a lockdown heading towards the holiday season. Last Monday, the Premier announced that Hamilton was next to move to the Grey Lockdown zone and further announcements were coming on Monday.
That announcement was made yesterday which means as of 12:01am on December 26th, the entire province will be in lockdown. What does that mean?
Here is an update from our town staff as to what is being closed during the shutdown.
Town Hall
- After the usual holiday closures until Jan. 4, 2021, Town Hall will be closed to the public during the 28-day shutdown, with the exception of pre-scheduled marriage license appointments
- Residents and businesses are encouraged to continue using the Town’s website to make online payments for various services including property taxes, parking tickets and transit tickets and passes.
Town recreation centres and facilities
- Effective Dec. 26, 2020, all Town of Milton recreation facilities will be closed to the public and in-person recreational programming is paused during the province-wide shutdown
- Some exceptions apply through this shutdown and will be implemented for those specific activities (e.g., Cycling Canada)
- To keep the community engaged, active and learning, Milton is offering registered virtual programs, for residents to participate in from home
Milton Transit
- Milton Transit conventional and specialized services will be in operation for essential trips only
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, to the food court for takeout purchases. 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.
Everyone wants COVID to be gone. Everyone wants this pandemic to be over. Everyone wants our numbers to go down.
This means EVERYONE has to follow the guidelines of this lockdown. We did it back in March/April/May … we can do it again.
NO ONE WANTS a lockdown. If you’re thinking “it wont matter if I go visit someone’s house” or “its only a couple of friends coming over” than please THINK AGAIN! Please don’t be selfish. Think about others!
Please take a few minutes to watch the most recent presentation by Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health to our council meeting. In this update, she outlines the current numbers, where they are going and the potential impact on our hospitals ability to handle both COVID19 and other necessary procedures as well.
This will put incredible pressure on our small businesses in the coming days and weeks to say the least. This is why its imperative that as we close in on Christmas and our shopping that we do whatever possible to support them. If you’re thinking about presents for friends and family, consider purchasing a gift certificate or gift card from a business here in MIlton. You can utilize curbside pick up from them and avoid the long lines at the stores and help keep our friends and neighbours employed.
As this lockdown continues, we also need to be reminded of the basics:
STAY HOME unless necessary to go out…groceries, pharmacy and outdoor exercise.
Wash hands regularly, sanitize often.
Limit close contact with household only. If you have a family member on their own (senior etc) they can be included in your household. Do NOT go visiting friends and family and think “Im ok and theyre ok”
I know Milton as a community have made many sacrifices when this pandemic began and we got the number of infections down, curves flattened and things improved. Our numbers however, keep increasing. We’re hearing from doctors and nurses and public service workers all over Halton saying that if this continues, our hospitals will be over run. No one wants this to happen.
We can do it again but we have to be resolved to do it instead of just saying it. The vaccine that is coming isn’t going to cure you of COVID19 and we’re still a long way from being out of the woods on this.
Lets continue to think of our friends and neighbours as we stay at home this holiday. There is nothing more than I’d rather do than to go to my friends houses and wish them all the best. But for the safety of ourselves and our community, it has to be this way. Lets do what we can to stem the tide and get out of this lockdown. We’re Milton Strong! We can do this.
Be safe Milton!