The Municipality of Brockton continues to prioritize the health and well-being of residents, businesses and staff by following the guidance from the Grey Bruce Health Unit and the Provincial Government. We strongly encourage residents to take the new threat of the Omicron variant seriously and continue following public health measures in order to prevent further spread of the virus, and transmissible variants.The Province of Ontario has released updated COVID-19 restrictions and vaccination verification requirements in accessing certain public facilities:
1) Effective December 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. to help slow the spread of the virus and Omicron variant, a 50% capacity limit for in indoor settings (including recreational amenities), and restricted social gathering limits to 10 people indoors, and 25 people outdoors is being implemented.
The Walkerton Community Centre is implementing capacity limits, including:
• Maximum of 10 people per dressing rooms
• Maximum of 40 people in the lobby
• Maximum of 125 people as spectators in the arena stands/bleachers
When entering the arena for hockey, please consider the following:
• Where possible dress young children in hockey equipment prior to entering the arena to limit time required in dressing rooms and minimize contacts.
• Where possible, arrange for one (1) parent to attend and limit bringing additional family members to the arena to support capacity restrictions.
• Be mindful of physical distancing and ensure face coverings are in place.
2) Effective December 20, 2021, Youth aged 12 to 17 years old participating in organized sports at recreation facilities will now be required to show proof of identification and proof of vaccination to enter recreation facilities at point of entry.
3) Effective January 4, 2022, the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app will be required in settings where proof of vaccination is required. The QR code can be used digitally or by printing a paper copy. Visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ to download your certificate.
Don’t have a printer or mobile phone? To print a copy of your certificate, you can: visit your local library, go to a Service Ontario location, ask a trusted friend or organization or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre to get your certificate in the mail: 1‑833‑943‑3900 (available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week)
4) Effective January 10, 2022, medical exemptions and clinical trial exemptions will require a certificate with a QR code - organizations and businesses will no longer accept physician notes.
The Municipality of Brockton urges the public to be kind and respectful of business operators and staff who are required to follow the Provincial regulations.
Proof of vaccination is required at the following Municipality of Brockton facilities:
• Bradley School House
• Cargill Community Centre
• Elmwood Community Centre
• Walkerton Community Centre
What you can do to help:
• Get vaccinated as soon as eligible and possible
• Wear a face covering (upgrade from a cloth mask)
• Avoid large gatherings and close contacts with individuals outside of your immediate household • Get a COVID-19 test at an Assessment Centre if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are a contact of a known COVID-19 case.
• Stay home if you are sick; and stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or are waiting for test results after experiencing symptoms.
• Maintain physical distancing as much as possible
• Complete a daily COVID screening of symptoms
• Wash hands frequently
Let’s work together to continue to keep our community, family, friends, and neighbours healthy.
Further Information
The Municipality of Brockton continues to obtain information and updates from the County of Bruce, The Grey Bruce Health Unit, the Province of Ontario and other health agencies and will provide new information to residents when available. The Municipality of Brockton will continue to take all steps necessary to maintain essential services for our residents and local businesses. Please visit Brockton.ca/COVID19 for updated information on the Municipality’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, or call the Municipal Office at 519-881-2223.
For the latest announcements and additional safety measures regarding COVID-19, visit the Province of Ontario’s website and the Grey Bruce Public Health website.
source: media release; Municipality of Brockton
