Starting Monday, November 16, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., Burlington (and the rest of Halton) moved into the red phase of the new COVID-19 colour-coded system.

In the province of Ontario’s levels of public health measures, there are five phases:

  • Prevent or Green: standard measures
  • Protect or Yellow: strengthened measures
  • Restrict or Orange: intermediate measures
  • Control or Red: stringent measures
  • Lockdown or Grey: maximum measures

What does being in the red phase mean?

  • Indoor and outdoor gathering limits are in place for all organized public events and social gatherings.
  • Religious services, weddings, and funerals are limited to a 30% capacity indoors (100 people outdoors).
  • Face coverings are required indoors in workplaces and public spaces.
  • Additional protections are required when patrons are within two metres of workers.
  • Physical distancing must be maintained.
  • Restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments are limited to 10 patrons seated indoors and a limit of four people sitting together. The limit of 10 patrons includes mall food courts.
  • Dancing, singing, and other live performances are prohibited. Music volume is limited.
  • 10 p.m. is the limit for establishment hours, with liquor sold or served only until 9 p.m.
  • Gyms and fitness studios may remain open with 10 people in classes indoors and 25 in classes outdoors.
  • Casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors, with no table games.
  • Cinemas are closed, except drive-in cinemas.
  • Performing arts facilities are closed to spectators.

What are the specific restrictions from the City of Burlington?

  • 10 people maximum for indoor programs and sport team training and skill development.
  • 25 people maximum for outdoor programs, including sport team training and skill development.
  • No swimming lessons or indoor pickleball.
  • Indoor and outdoor team game play is not permitted.
  • Rehearsing and performing a recorded event are permitted.

In Burlington, 85 COVID-19 cases remain active as of November 14. In total, 730 cases have been reported (696 confirmed and 34 probable). The age groups most affected in Burlington are those aged 40–59 (255 cases) and 20–39 (210 cases). Interestingly, 100 cases have been identified in each of the 0–19 and 60–79 year age groups; sadly, 16 Burlington residents have died as a result of COVID-19.

Christmas is 40 days away and the red phase will be in place in Burlington for a minimum of 28 days; Christmas is likely to look different this year.

Please:

  • Stay home as much as possible. Connect with your friends and family by phone or online.
  • Wear a mask and keep at least 6’ away from people not living in your household.
  • Wash your hands regularly.
  • Limit your shopping in stores to one person per household when possible.
  • Support local businesses by shopping online.
  • Support local restaurants by arranging delivery or takeout.
  • Stay active by enjoying walks outside or cycling.

We thank all who are working to keep our health services going, our schools running both in class and virtually, and our pharmacies and grocery stores open. So many adjustments have been made by these and other organizations to ensure that we have access to the essentials every day. We see you and we care about you. We appreciate you.

Sources:

Halton Region, Status of COVID-19 Cases in Halton, url: https://www.halton.ca/For-Residents/Immunizations-Preventable-Disease/Diseases-Infections/New-Coronavirus/Status-of-COVID-19-Cases-in-Halton (accessed Nov. 14, 2020).

City of Burlington, Burlington in Red (Control) Phase Monday, Nov. 16; url: https://www.burlington.ca/en/modules/news/index.aspx?newsId=47a67bda-728d-4bf1-9ab5-ed71a5b7cae5 (accessed Nov. 14, 2020).

Government of Ontario, COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open; url: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open#red (accessed Nov. 14, 2020).