Back to SearchBurlington, Ont.—April 30, 2020— The City of Burlington is committed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 to protect its residents and employees. City facilities and park amenities remain closed and staff are focused on providing essential services to the community. The Province of Ontario is solely and directly responsible for lifting or easing their emergency orders under which the City operates to deliver essential City services.
Online and phone supports
On April 28, a new COVID-19 resource webpage launched and can be found at Burlington.ca/coronavirus. The site features links to organizations who are looking for volunteers and donations plus organizations offering support to individuals through the COVID-19 emergency.
On May 1, the City of Burlington is launching TelePALS, a free phone service designed to help adults stay connected as everyone practices physical distancing to help flatten the curve of COVID-19.
Through TelePALS, users can participate in free, over-the-phone programs, including Chat Groups, Listen and Learn, Game Shows, Ask the Expert and Listen for Enjoyment. For more information, visit Burlington.ca/telepals.
Roads and Parks
With the arrival of warmer weather, City of Burlington staff began spring maintenance work in City parks and roads. Staff are only doing essential work to maintain City parks, facilities and assets until further notice.
To help keep everyone safe during the provincial emergency order, Spencer Smith Park is only available for walk-in traffic. The parking lots are closed and only walking is permitted in Spencer Smith Park, including the Promenade and the Brant Street Pier. Visitors must keep a two-metre distance from other walkers. No other activities are permitted until further notice: no running, no rollerblading and no biking through Spencer Smith Park. This is to reduce the volume of people in Spencer Smith Park and to help walkers maintain physical distancing.
Physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most important steps everyone needs to take. The COVID-19 virus doesn’t move on its own; it needs people to move it. To discourage people from gathering and to help reduce the transmission of the virus, the City of Burlington has closed all vehicular access to our parks. Only walking, jogging, riding a bike or scooter/wheelchair through a park or trail is permitted, except for Spencer Smith Park, where only walking is allowed. Remember to:
- Keep two metres away from others - about the length of a hockey stick
- Move to the right on pathways to make room for others to pass safely
- Carry out your garbage whenever possible
All amenities in our parks have already been closed: please continue to respect the caution tape and keep off playgrounds, sports fields, skateboard areas, tennis and basketball courts. The City has signage and barricades in the entrances of parking lots to block vehicles from parking. Vehicles left in parking lots will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Residents who see groups of five or more people gathering or individuals using outdoor recreational facilities can call the Halton Regional Police Service COVID hotline to file a report at 905-825-4722.
Local enforceable orders include:
- Closure of places of non-essential businesses
- Prohibiting events and gatherings of more than five people
- Closure of public places and establishments
- Closure of all outdoor recreational amenities and parks
To date City of Burlington Bylaw Enforcement Officers have issued two tickets (provincial offences notices) related to COVID 19. The Building and Bylaw Department has addressed over 1600 complaints/inquiries in the month of April with the primary goal of educating the public in relation to the Provincial Emergency orders and the Burlington Social Distancing Bylaw. Overall, the community has been receptive and respectful during these interactions but still we ask all residents to adhere to the requirements in place. As always, the health and safety of staff, the public and front-line healthcare workers is paramount.
Burlington Transit
As an essential service, Burlington Transit continues to operate on a modified schedule for essential trips only. All trips continue to remain free. Essential trips include going to medical appointments and picking up medication or groceries. Extra buses will be added if needed to help protect drivers and allow passengers to practice physical distancing from other riders. Please use the back doors to enter and exit the bus, keep behind the marked area and follow the recommendations of public health professionals. For more information on Burlington Transit, visit burlingtontransit.ca
Parking
Parking enforcement is currently limited to safety-related issues such as fire routes, accessible parking, no parking/stopping areas and blocked areas, including parking lots at Spencer Smith Park, Lowville Park and all other City parks. Time limit restrictions have been relaxed to help those working from home or self-isolating. Parking permits and exemptions are not required until further notice. For more information on parking, visit burlington.ca/parking.
Service Burlington
Customer Service staff are available by phone and email for residents’ questions. Online forms can also be submitted via our website. Only in-person services, such as marriage licences, are not available during the pandemic. ServiceBurlington may be reached at city@burlington.ca or 905-335-7777.
In-Home Activities
The best thing residents can do to protect themselves and the community, is stay home. The City of Burlington and its partners are offering activities people of any age can do while staying home at burlington.ca/activeathome. The list includes:
- Virtual fitness
- Free music
- Ebooks, emagazines and online resources from Burlington Public Library at bpl.on.ca
- Videos for recreation programming such as games, activities and crafts.
Burlington is ranked as Canada’s best community and best place to raise a family. It is a city where people, nature and businesses thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/Enews and download the free City of Burlington app.
Quotes
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
“The weather forecast for this weekend looks to be summerlike and I know all of us will be itching to get outside to soak up some sun. For the most part, our city has been doing well so far with keeping up with physical distancing, following medical advice and adhering to provincial emergency orders – so let’s keep that going this weekend. If you do go outside, please remember to stay at least 2 metres/6 feet away from others. Don’t congregate in groups of more than five people. Enjoy our parks, but walk through them; don’t stop – and remember to stick to your own local neighbourhood parks. If you’re cycling, please take note that cycling is currently not allowed in Spencer Smith Park and you are asked to dismount and walk your bike through. Our bylaw enforcement officers will be out reminding everyone of how they can stay safe and healthy. I know this is tough, particularly with the warmer weather on the horizon, but the more we restrict ourselves and stay apart now, the sooner we will be able to come together.”
COVID-19 Links and Resources
- For more COVID-19 information, including where to get tested, please visit Halton Region Public Health www.halton.ca/coronavirus
- Community questions and requests regarding City of Burlington services can be directed to Service Burlington by phone at 905-335-7777, by email at city@burlington.ca or online
- Questions about the cancellation of Recreation programs can be directed to rentals@burlington.ca or liveandplay@burlington.ca or 905-335-7738
- Residents can stay informed and seek community resources at burlington.ca/coronavirus as well as on our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington
- Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
- Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/coronavirus
- World Health Organization: www.who.int
- Joseph Brant Hospital: www.josephbranthospital.ca
- Team Burlington - Burlington’s business organizations
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Communications contact:
Kwab Ako-Adjei
Director, Corporate Communications & Government Relations
Office: 905-335-7777, ext. 7747
kwab.ako-adjei@burlington.ca
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