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The City of Orillia is working closely with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) to adjust recreation facility operating procedures to meet the requirements of the Orange Level restrictions as set out in the Province’s COVID-19 response framework.
“Since the outset of COVID-19, the City of Orillia has taken its lead from the Province and the SMDHU on our pandemic response locally. Since our area moved to the orange level within the Province’s COVID-19 response framework, staff have been working to adapt recreation programming and operating procedures to meet the requirements,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “The health and safety of our staff and our residents continues to be our number one priority and we will continue to work with the health unit to implement necessary procedures and precautions.”
Based on the recommendations from the SMDHU, the following changes have been implemented at City of Orillia recreation facilities:
- Patrons are being advised to limit their participation in recreation programs to 90 minutes per day to limit frequent, prolonged exposure. This excludes organized sports.
- Spectators will not be permitted with the exception to allow one parent or guardian for child supervision.
- All facility bookings moving forward will be limited to local user groups.
- Access to registered and drop-in recreation programs will be limited to those whose primary residence is classified under the same Provincial Framework colour as the SMDHU.
- Dressing rooms will be provided to user groups at Rotary Place and Brian Orser Arena, limits will be reduced to ensure physical distancing between participants is maintained. The reduction in dressing room capacity limits will not limit the operation of ice users.
The City of Orillia and the SMDHU is seeking further clarification from the Province regarding the facility capacity limits for arenas, pools and multi-use recreation facilities. Staff have been advised by SMDHU to continue operating under our current facility capacity limits at this time.
The City of Orillia continues to provide safe recreation opportunities. Pre-registration is required for all registered programming and access to the fitness center, sports and aquatics drop-ins at this time. Pre-registration is being done for both contract tracing protocols and to allow for control of the numbers of people (both participants and parent/guardians) within the facility in order to meet provincial legislation. For more information on programming, please visit orillia.ca/fun.
The Province and the SMDHU also advise that individuals and families in higher transmission areas should avoid travel to lower transmission areas (e.g. from red to orange, from yellow to green) except for essential reasons.
It’s important to remember the following:
- Stay home and away from others when you are feeling ill.
- Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Keep a physical distance of two metres when with those not in your household.
- Wear a mask/face covering indoors, on Orillia Transit, or in situations where physical distancing is a challenge or not possible.
- Avoid touching your face and cover your face when coughing or sneezing.
The City continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and adapt services accordingly. For detailed information on City services and amenities, please visit orillia.ca/COVID-19.
For more information on the COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Orillia visit: osmh.on.ca/covid-19/
For COVID-19 updates from the SMDHU visit: http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Promos/Novel-Coronavirus
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Mayor Steve Clarke
705-326-1177
mayor@orillia.ca
Brent Thomas
Orillia Fire Chief
705-325-5889
bthomas@orillia.ca
Gayle Jackson
Chief Administrative Officer
705-238-7501
gjackson@orillia.ca
Jennifer Ruff
Director of Business Development and Communications
705-238-9209
jruff@orillia.ca
