COVID-19 Update: Changes at City Facilities as Province Further Eases Public Health Restrictions

As COVID-19 trends and key health indicators across Ontario continue to improve, the Province has announced that it will be easing public health measures sooner than expected. The first round of changes takes effect February 17, with additional changes expected March 1.

“The latest announcement from the Province demonstrates how far we’ve come in our battle against COVID-19,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “This is an important step toward better days ahead, but let’s continue to make smart choices and follow public health guidelines to ensure we continue to move in the right direction.”

Indoor Leisure Facilities

Arenas and fitness centres will be operating at full capacity beginning Thursday, February 17. As per Lifesaving Society recommendations, pool capacities will be limited to facilitate two metres distancing in indoor aquatic facilities.

Carmichael Arena remains in use as a vaccination clinic. For more information, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/play/arenas. 

Visitors to pools and fitness centres may continue to book reservations (one-hour time slots) in advance, but walk-ins will also be permitted.

As Pioneer Manor experiences a staff shortage due to COVID-19, a number of Leisure Services employees have been redeployed to assist. This may result in occasional closures and/or modified hours at pools and fitness centres over the coming weeks. Before heading to a facility, users are asked to call the facility, contact 311, or visit www.greatersudbury.ca/play/pools or www.greatersudbury.ca/play/fitness-centres to ensure the facility is open. In the event of a program cancellation, staff will contact participants directly.

The Province indicated it plans to lift proof of vaccination requirements in March, as long as public health and health system indicators continue to improve. Until the Province makes that change, proof of full vaccination is still required for anyone 12 and older who is entering an arena, pool or fitness centre as a spectator, participant, coach, official or volunteer. This also includes those entering for the sole purpose of participating in an organized sport, for example hockey, swimming lessons, gymnastics, martial arts. Spectators 11 and younger must be accompanied by an adult who is fully vaccinated.

Masks are required when entering/leaving the facility, in change rooms, in common spaces and when not actively engaged in an activity. Residents are asked to remain masked for as long as possible before engaging in their activity.

Cemetery Services

Funerals and interment services will allow for up to 50 people indoors at the Civic Memorial Mausoleum. There is no capacity limit for outdoor services. Physical distancing must be maintained. Masks are required for all guests and staff.

Libraries and Citizen Service Centres

Libraries and Citizen Service Centres are open for in-branch services, including browsing of collections, computer use (limited to one-hour sessions), printing, scanning, and photocopy services, municipal services, access to washrooms and a place to warm up. A grab and go model is encouraged and capacity limits remain in place for the time being as part of the gradual reopening plan. Further updates are expected next week. 

Potential operational disruption due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may require service levels to be modified – including shifting to curbside service – on a branch-by-branch basis.

Residents who require Citizen Service Centre municipal services such as marriage licensing and cemetery services are asked to call ahead to make an appointment. For more information, visit www.sudburylibraries.ca/covid-19-update.

Tom Davies Square

Services at Tom Davies Square remain available by appointment for the time being. Contact 311 by phone or Live Web Chat (311.greatersudbury.ca) to make an appointment or discuss alternate service. Many services are available by telephone or through the Customer Service Portal.

Tom Davies Square is expected to reopen for walk-in service in mid-March, as staff transitions back to the office. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Reminders on Other City Facilities

• When using any outdoor facility, users must maintain a distance of two metres from people who are not part of their household. A mask or face covering is required when physical distancing is a challenge. Benches, waste bins, gates, handrails and other surfaces are not sanitized.
• The Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter continues to accept visitors for animal adoption or surrender by appointment only. Contact 311 to make an appointment.
• Proof of vaccination is required for anyone 12 and older attending Lionel E. Lalonde Centre (specifically the areas used to host training events, meetings and conferences), all publicly accessible meeting rooms in City facilities (including Council Chambers) and municipally owned community halls.

Other Reminders

• The Province’s latest announcement includes changes for a number of other businesses and services. For details, visit https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001600/ontario_moving_to_next_phase_of_reopening_on_february_17.
• As of February 17, social gathering limits increase to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

• Continue to follow basic but important measures to prevent the spread of illness. Wash your hands often, wear a mask or face covering, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve and stay home if you feel sick.
• To ensure maximum protection against COVID-19 and the variants, anyone who is eligible should complete their vaccination series as soon as possible. For vaccine clinic information, visit www.phsd.ca/health-topics-programs/vaccines-immunizations/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine/upcoming-vaccination-clinics-for-specific-priority-groups.
• Effective February 18 at 8 a.m., youth aged 12 to 17 are eligible for booster doses. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months after a second dose.  

Important Information about 311
Residents are encouraged to contact 311 by phone or Live Web Chat (311.greatersudbury.ca) for:

• Questions about how provincial and/or local rules and regulations affect City programs and services.
• Organized events and social gatherings that exceed what is permitted.
• Complaints about non-compliance of businesses or services.

The enforcement of COVID-19 legislation is a joint initiative by City By-law Officers, Public Health Sudbury & Districts and the Greater Sudbury Police Service. 311 representatives will log your complaint, and direct it to the appropriate party based on time of day, and severity and type of issue.

For COVID-19 updates and information related to City services, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/covid or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

For the most up-to-date local information on COVID-19, visit the Public Health Sudbury & Districts website at www.phsd.ca/coronavirus.