COVID-19 | June 24, 2020

Today, Mississauga City Council reviewed and approved initiatives in relation to COVID-19 including: additional amenity reopenings, resuming on-street parking enforcement and extending exemptions for Sign By-law amendments.

“Each week, we take more steps to return to business as usual in Mississauga. Today, we are moving forward with a number of actions to further reopen our City,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Part of this work is extending permissions for businesses to use outdoor signs more easily to promote their business, as well as preparing to resume on street parking enforcement. While we are making progress, we cannot let up. We must continue to practice physical distancing and proper hygiene to prevent a large second wave. We may be done with the pandemic, but it is not done with us. If we all do our part, we will keep our City safe and continue our steady progress to return to normal.”

City Facility Reopenings 

A number of amenities will reopen as part of the City’s approval to move into Stage 2 of Ontario’s Framework for Reopening Our Province as announced earlier this week.

Additional park and recreation amenities will open on the following dates: 

Friday, June 26

• Basketball courts
• Casual use of sports fields
• All remaining park parking lots

Saturday, July 4

• Outdoor pools – Starting Saturday, July 4, all of the City’s seven outdoor pools will be open for  Adult lane and Leisure swims with pre-registration only
• Artificial turf fields
• Select baseball diamond permits
• Cricket field permits
• Picnic areas
• Celebration Square wading pool
• Photography permits available
• Spray pads (with the exception of Huron Park, which is currently under construction)

Monday, July 13

• Soccer field permits

The City encourages residents to take personal responsibility when visiting parks and is using its Park Ambassador program to educate residents on physical distancing requirements and remaining park playground and amenity closures. 

Park and Recreation Amenities
In addition to several park amenities that were reopened as part of Stage 1, bocce courts, beach volleyball courts and joint City and school board track facilities opened last weekend.

Closures that Remain in Effect

• Arenas
  City arenas are not open for full public use. The City is currently working on a summer ice plan with hockey and skating clubs.
• Community Centres
  Community centres will only be opening exclusively for summer camp participants and staff on weekdays. At this time, community centres are not open for full public use.
• Culture Facilities
  All of the City’s Culture facilities are currently closed. The City is reviewing when they can open based on staffing and demand.
• Libraries
  Returns are accepted at all locations except Mississauga Valley Library. Starting today, curbside pickup will be available at the Burnhamthorpe, Central, Lorne Park, Malton and Meadowvale

Additional locations will be phased in:

• • June 29, 2020 – Erin Meadows, Frank McKechnie, Port Credit, South Common
  • July 6, 2020 – Churchill Meadows, Courtneypark, Sheridan, Woodlands
• Playgrounds and Outdoor Fitness Equipment
  Playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment remain closed under the provincial order.

On-Street Parking Enforcement

Council approved the enforcement of on-street parking to resume as of July 6, 2020 for:

• On-street time limit offences –  such as more than five and fifteen hours
• 2 to 6 a.m. restrictions

Leading up to July 6, warning tickets will be issued for anyone parking on-street for more than 5 hours or overnight (2 to 6 a.m.).

All other parking offences continue to be enforced to maintain public safety. This includes fire routes, accessible parking, no stopping, prohibited parking areas, as well as pay and display areas where payment is required.

Sign By-Law

Council approved an extended exemption period for amendments made to the Sign By-law from June 30 to December 31, 2020 for businesses to match community groups. Council amended the Sign By-law in March to grant exceptions to support community groups, organizations and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and community groups can access portable sign applications online using eSigns. 

Liability for Amateur Sports in Reopening from COVID-19

Council committed to write a letter to the Government of Ontario to request that sports organizations and non-profits be granted qualified immunity from liability where participants contract COVID-19 while participating in their activities. If granted by the province, organizations must act in good faith and follow all Emergency Orders, health guidelines and the safety policies of their umbrella sports organizations to be granted immunity from liability.

To stay informed on COVID-19 impacts on City services, please visit: mississauga.ca/coronavirus or call 311.

• Community Recycling Centres are now accepting bulky items. As social distancing measures continue on-site, staff are not available to unload items and wait times may be longer.
• Curbside collection of bulky items resumes June 29.
• For residents who are moving out of their home and require assistance with collecting bulky items before June 29, requests can be made by calling the Region’s waste inquiry line at 905-791-9499 or emailing wasteinquiry@peelregion.ca
• The Region is also continuing to work with the local municipalities to monitor for and pick up illegally dumped items.
• Residents who observe illegal dumping are encouraged to report as much information as possible including date, time and location of the incident. They can do so anonymously by also calling 905-791-9499.

COVID-19 | June 23, 2020

The Government of Ontario announced yesterday that the Region of Peel, including Mississauga, will be entering Stage 2 of Ontario’s Framework for Reopening Our Province as of Wednesday, June 24, 2020.

“Moving into Stage 2 is an important milestone and symbolizes the efforts and sacrifices made by residents and businesses to stop this virus in its tracks and get Mississauga on the road to recovery. This is great news, especially for our small businesses, including cafes, restaurants and bars who can now open up their patios and welcome customers once again,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “It’s also exciting for our residents as it means they can once again enjoy many of our City amenities that make summers memorable such as our spray pads and outdoor pools, beach volleyball and basketball courts. While we’re all excited to see more of our city opening up, I want to remind residents that this is not a return to life as we once knew it. We must continue to follow the advice of public health and take personal ownership and responsibility for stopping the spread.”

Additional businesses, services, as well as community, recreational and outdoor spaces are permitted to reopen in Stage 2 with proper health and safety measures in place.

“The commitment and sacrifices of residents and businesses to reduce the spread of COVID-19 has paved the path for Peel to move into Phase 2,” said Dr. Lawrence Loh, Interim Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel. “As we reopen more of our community, we need to remain vigilant and continue to practice the four core behaviours that will help keep us safer: stay two metres apart when out and about; wear a non-medical mask when physical distancing is challenging; wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face; and if you’re sick, get tested and then stay home. I also call on local businesses and venues to also implement preventive measures as they reopen to ensure that staff and visitors to their premises can practice these core four behaviours.”

All local businesses will need to adhere to guidelines from the Province of Ontario and the Region of Peel. New resources available to support businesses reopen and recover at mississauga.ca/business-covid-19.

“The Mississauga Board of Trade wants to thank Mayor Crombie and Council along with Dr. Lawrence Loh for the diligent path they have taken to protect the citizens of Mississauga. We also want to commend the Premier for the support he has provided for business and his commitment to stand by business,” said David Wojcik, President and CEO of Mississauga Board of Trade.

With guidance from Region of Peel Public Health, the City of Mississauga will gradually reopen facilities and resume services in a new or modified way to prioritize resident safety.

“We are working to reopen more of our facilities and amenities safely in accordance with the guidelines and regulations put out by the Province and Peel Public Health,” said Paul Mitcham, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. “Our top priority continues to be the health and safety of our residents, customers and staff. As City programs and services slowly begin to reopen, we are asking the community to be patient as we thoughtfully work through provincial regulations.”

City Facility Reopenings 

Outdoor Pools

Starting Saturday, July 4, all of the City’s seven outdoor pools will open for lane and fun swims for pre-registration only.

Park and Recreation Amenities
In addition to several park amenities that were reopened as part of Stage 1, bocce courts, beach volleyball courts and joint City and school board track facilities opened last weekend.

Additional park and recreation amenities will open on the following dates:

Friday, June 26

• Basketball courts
• Casual use of sports fields
• All remaining park parking lots

Saturday, July 4

• Artificial turf fields
• Select ball diamond permits
• Cricket field permits
• Picnic areas
• Photography permits available
• Celebration Square wading pool
• Spray pads (with the exception of Huron Park, which is currently under construction)

Monday, July 13

• Soccer field permits

The City encourages residents to take personal responsibility when visiting parks and is using its Park Ambassador program to educate residents on physical distancing requirements and remaining park playground and amenity closures.

Closures that Remain in Effect

Arenas
City arenas are not open for full public use. The City is currently working on a summer ice plan with hockey and skating clubs.

Community Centres
Community centres will only be opening for summer camp participants and staff with exclusive use on weekdays. At this time, community centres are not open for full public use.

Culture Facilities
All of the City’s Culture facilities are currently closed. The City is reviewing when they can open based on staffing and demand.

Libraries
Returns are accepted at all locations except Mississauga Valley Library. Starting today, curbside pickup will be available at the Burnhamthorpe, Central, Lorne Park, Malton and Meadowvale libraries. Additional locations will be phased in when it is considered safe to do so.

Playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment
Playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment remain closed under the provincial order.

Find the full list of City reopenings and closures. To stay informed on COVID-19 impacts on City services, please visit: Mississauga.ca/recovery.

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Tweet: The @ONGov announced yesterday that #Mississauga can move to Stage 2 starting Wednesday, June 24. Visit Mississauga.ca/recovery & follow on social media as @CityMississauga works with @RegionofPeel Public Health to reopen safely. More info: http://ow.ly/eeyy50Afu4b

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If you live in a region that is entering stage 2

While Stage 2 businesses and workplaces can open, dates and approaches may vary based on each community’s local needs and the ability of each business or service to meet workplace safety guidelines and public health advice.

By following general public health advice and implementing workplace safety measures, workplaces and people can help make Stage 2 a success.

Places that can open in Stage 2

• Personal care services
• Personal services
• Restaurants & bars
• Shopping malls & centres
• Photography
• Film & TV
• Tour & guide services
• Water recreational facilities
• Outdoor recreational facilities
• Beaches, parks & camping
• Outdoor recreational team sports
• Drive-in & drive-thru venues
• Weddings, funerals and similar gatherings
• Libraries
• Community centres
• Attractions & heritage institutions
• Small outdoor events

Personal care services

Establishments providing personal care services can open with the proper health and safety protocols in place.

• Examples include:
  • Hair services (including barber shops, hair salons, hairdressers/stylists, colour consulting services, scalp treatment services, hair weaving services, and hair replacement services)
  • Beauty salons, shops and parlours (including beauticians, estheticians, cosmetology shops or salons, manicure and pedicure salons)
  • Hair removal services
  • Diet centres (non-medical), diet workshops, weight control clinics, and weight-reduction centres (non-medical)
  • Piercing services
  • Day spas
  • Tanning salons
  • Tattoo studios
• Where physical distancing cannot be maintained, personal care service providers should ensure that:
  • Patrons wear face coverings at all times.
  • Workers wear face coverings and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves.
• Personal care services must take measures to enable physical distancing between patrons, such as limiting the number of people who may be in the business at any one time.
• Businesses should also consider operating by appointment and/or recording each patron’s name and contact information for the purpose of contact tracing.
• Restrictions include:
  • Prohibiting services that tend to a customer’s face, such as facials, facial hair grooming, eyebrow grooming and makeup, as well as oxygen bars.
  • Steam rooms, saunas and bath houses must remain closed.
  • Baths, hot tubs, floating pools and sensory deprivation pods are closed except for therapeutic purposes prescribed by or administered by a regulated health professional. Change rooms and showers for water amenities will be available to the public if operators have the ability to adequately sanitize and disinfect the facilities.
• For clarity, a business can open to offer other permitted services even if a restricted activity is its primary service (e.g., a facial salon can open to provide other services).

Personal services

Businesses primarily engaged in providing other personal services can open with the proper health and safety protocols in place. All services must be provided with physical distancing of at least two metres.

• Examples include:
  • House sitting
  • Party, wedding planning and consulting services
  • Personal organizer services
  • Personal physical fitness trainer and sports trainers (outside of gyms only)
  • Personal shopping services
  • Porter services
  • Shoe services (e.g., shining, repair)
  • Check room services (e.g., coat check, suitcase storage)
  • Wedding chapels
• Personal services should use measures to enable physical distancing, such as limiting the number of people who may be in the business at any one time.
• Businesses should also consider operating by appointment and/or record each patron’s name and contact information for the purpose of contact tracing.

Restaurants & bars

Restaurants, bars, food trucks and other food and drink establishments (e.g., wineries, breweries and distilleries) can open for dining in outdoor areas only, such as patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent premises.

• Establishments must take appropriate measures to ensure physical distancing of at least two metres between patrons from different households, including:
  • Using reservations.
  • Limiting number of patrons allowed in the outdoor space at one time.
  • Ensuring enough space between tables, including to allow for movement.
• Access to indoor facilities is limited to patio/outdoor dining area access, food pickup, payment, washrooms or other health and safety purposes.
• Liquor sales licensees who wish to temporarily extend the physical size of their existing licensed patio, or temporarily add a new licensed patio within the approved period are authorized to do so, if all the following criteria are met:
  • The physical extension of the premises is adjacent to the premises to which the licence to sell liquor applies.
  • The municipality in which the premises is situated does not object to an extension.
  • The licensee is able to demonstrate sufficient control over the physical extension of the premises.
  • There is no condition on the liquor sales licence prohibiting a patio.

Shopping malls & centres

In addition to providing online, curbside pickup and delivery services, all shopping centres, malls and markets may open. Stores in these facilities must follow the same guidance as those set out for other retail services.

• Food services and restaurants with mall-only entrances may open for outdoor dining spaces, delivery and takeout. Dine-in at indoor food courts is prohibited.
• Entertainment amenities not permitted in Stages 1 or 2, such as movie theatres and waterparks, remain closed.
• Malls may need to institute the policies that were put in place by retail outlets that remained open as essential businesses or were permitted to reopen during Stage 1, including engineering and administrative controls, such as:
  • Alternative operating hours to address increased cleaning demands.
  • Enhanced security and limiting entrances.
  • Creation and enforcement of walking traffic patterns.
  • Operating by appointment or reservation.
  • Limiting the number of people who may be in one business at any one time.
  • Restricting fitting room access and implementing cleaning process between fitting room customers.
  • General building management, including signage and hand sanitizer at the entrance of building, and removing gathering settings (e.g., benches).
• Industry associations recommend that efforts to screen people for COVID-19 symptoms at shopping malls is best performed at the entry point of the shopping centre rather than at individual shops.

Photography

All photography studios and services, including portrait, aerial, special event, commercial and industrial photography can reopen.

• Physical distancing must be maintained between all individuals on set whenever possible and must be taken into consideration when organizing the layout of the set.

Film & TV

All film and television production activities will be allowed to resume.

• Physical distancing must be maintained between all individuals on set whenever possible and must be taken into consideration when organizing the layout of the set.

Tour & guide services

Indoor and outdoor tour and guide services will be allowed to resume.

• This includes:
  • Resource-based tours (e.g., hunting, fishing and similar excursions)
  • Tastings and tours for operators of on-site retail stores at manufacturing sites (e.g., wineries, breweries and distilleries)
  • Trail riding, walking and bike tours
  • Motor vehicle and boat tours (e.g., for sightseeing)
• Businesses should consider operating by appointment and/or record each patron’s name and contact information for the purpose of contact tracing.
• Patrons must adhere to physical distancing measures and limits to public gatherings.
• Equipment may be rented as needed as part of the tours. Equipment should be properly cleaned and disinfected in between rentals.
• Access to production areas for tours of food and beverage manufacturing sites is permitted, as long as operators can follow workplace guidance and public health advice to ensure quality and cleanliness of products. Eating or drinking can occur in licensed outdoor spaces but is not permitted indoors.

Water recreational facilities

All indoor and outdoor swimming pools and outdoor splash pads and wading pools may open to the public with no access to high-contact aquatic features such as slides and climbing structures.

• This includes public pools as well as pools situated in hotels, motels, condo parks, resorts and other private facilities.
• Waterparks, wave pools and water slides will not be permitted to reopen in Stage 2.
• Change rooms and showers will be available to the public if operators can adequately sanitize and disinfect the facilities.
• Persons in the place of business shall maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from each other at all times by:
• Reducing resting areas and pool capacity.
• Limiting and distancing pool-side seating.
• Timed entry (e.g., appointment only).
• Equipment rented or loaned must be disinfected or quarantined appropriately between uses.
• Aquatic activities such as fitness classes and swim lessons must be in line with physical distancing measures. For example, only other household members can assist swimmers with physical contact.

Outdoor recreational facilities

Outdoor-only recreational facilities that operate low-contact attractions and activities will be allowed to reopen.

• This includes activities such as paintball, mini-golf, archery ranges, go-cart tracks and other adventure activities.
• Locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses will remain closed, except to the extent they provide access to a washroom or a portion of the facility that is used to provide first aid.
• Equipment rented, loaned or utilized for outdoor adventure elements (e.g., ladders, ziplines, hand cables) must be disinfected or quarantined appropriately between uses. Activities where equipment cannot be sanitized are not permitted.
• Recreational activities or areas that do not allow for two-metre physical distancing between patrons are not permitted.
• Indoor recreational activities are not permitted except for indoor driving ranges and rod and gun clubs.
• Amusement parks and waterparks (including those attached to hotels) will remain closed.
• Playgrounds, play structures and outdoor fitness equipment will remain closed.

Beaches, parks & camping

In Stage 1, Ontario Parks opened limited backcountry camping including paddle and portage routes, access points and hiking trails. In Stage 2, Ontario Parks campgrounds and private campgrounds can also open for recreational vehicle, car camping and all other types of camping.

• Campers must adhere to social gathering size restrictions and maintain two-metre physical distancing with people outside their household and when outside of their campsites.
• Beach access at Ontario Parks will be permitted as part of Ontario Parks’ gradual reopening, although measures including limited capacity will be taken at some parks to enable physical distancing.

Outdoor recreational team sports

Outdoor team sports may resume, if physically distanced, for training only and with no scrimmages or games.

• This includes limited access to facilities (e.g., no locker rooms, no change rooms and no showers).
• Access to clubhouse and other amenities will be limited to washrooms, emergency aid and equipment management.

Drive-in & drive-thru venues

All existing and new drive-in and drive-thru venues can open for a variety of purposes, such as theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations.

• Food services are restricted to delivery to vehicles and drive-thru only.
• Operators must have in place procedures for staff to ensure people remain in their cars except for using the washroom or in an emergency.
• In addition to other workplace and public health measures, drive-ins and drive-thru venues should:
  • Limit the number of vehicles and how they are parked to ensure physical distancing.
  • Ensure that any washrooms open for use are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary environment.

Weddings, funerals and similar gatherings

Venues not otherwise restricted can open to conduct wedding ceremonies, funerals and similar gatherings within existing public health restrictions.

• Events will be required to comply with limits for social gatherings of up to 10 people.
• Dine-in and bar services must be in-line with the related guidelines and restrictions.
• Indoor and outdoor venues may open for weddings, funerals and similar gatherings, with limited access to facilities.
• Guests that are not part of the same household should follow physical distancing guidelines.

Libraries

All libraries can reopen with limited on-site services, such as computer access and contactless book pickup and drop-off.

• Patrons are not permitted to handle books or materials on shelves.
• Libraries should operate in adherence with public health guidelines on physical distancing, capacity and hygiene procedures (e.g., disinfecting returns and high-touch areas like computers).

Community centres

Community centres can reopen to the public with limited or modified on-site programs and services that follow workplace guidance and public health advice.

• Recreational activities are restricted at indoor facilities, but these spaces can be used for other programs and services.
• Examples of physically distanced programs and services include in-person counselling, group counselling, computer access, education and tutoring.
• Food services are restricted to takeout, delivery and outdoor dining spaces.
• Indoor pools may open (see water recreational facilities).
• Access to locker rooms, change rooms, showers and communal kitchen areas is not allowed.

Attractions & heritage institutions

Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos outdoor heritage institutions (e.g., landmarks, outdoor historic sites, botanical gardens), and other establishments primarily engaged in preserving and exhibiting objects, sites and natural wonders of historical, cultural and educational value are permitted to reopen with restrictions.

• Interactive and high-contact exhibits, amusement parks, water parks and conference centres will remain closed in Stage 2.
• Lockers will remain closed.
• The opening of commercial areas (e.g., restaurant, cafe, bookshop, giftshop) are subject to the related guidelines and restrictions.
• Persons in the place of business shall maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from each other at all times by:
• Timed entry.
• A limited number of visitors allowed in a place at one time.
• Managed visitor flow (e.g., one-way flow).
• Establishments should consider operating by appointment and/or record each patron’s name and contact information for the purpose of contact tracing.

Small outdoor events

Non-essential in-person gatherings of any size continue to be strongly discouraged. Small outdoor events, such as cultural celebrations, animal shows and fundraisers will be permitted in line with gathering-size restrictions, subject to local public health requirements.

• Event organizers should have in place measures to enable physical distancing for people when in the event space and while waiting to enter, such as one-way traffic, marked lineup areas, and timed entry and length of stay.
• Large outdoor events, such as concerts, large festivals, parades and amusement fairs, are not permitted.