Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Local News

Here's what you need to know as Barrie moves into Red Zone

Residents encouraged to stay vigilant and follow public health guidelines
BarrieToday Staff
Column_Images_Covid_2020_groceryshop_2000x1333

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
***************************
As declared by the province on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, municipalities in the Simcoe-Muskoka area including the City of Barrie have moved out of the Stay-at-Home order and into the Red-Control level of COVID-19 restrictions, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16. 

The Red level means broad-scale measures and restrictions across multiple sectors to control transmission of the virus. Restrictions are the most severe available before wide-scale business or organizational closure. 

What does this mean for residents? The following limitation framework is in place as part of the Red-Control level in Barrie. Please note the following is subject to additional input or further restrictions by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU).

  • Limits for all organized public events and social gatherings are five people indoors or 25 people outdoors. However, the SMDHU strongly recommends that:

    • Trips outside of the home should only be for essential reasons.

    • Families should not visit any other household or allow visitors in their homes.

    • All residents should avoid social gatherings and avoid travel 

  • Limits for religious services rites or ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, are 30 per cent capacity of the room indoors or 100 people outdoors.

  • Local restaurants and bars can reopen with these restrictions:

    • Outdoor dining, take out, drive through and delivery is permitted, including alcohol.

    • Maximum number of patrons permitted to be seated indoors is 10.

    • Patrons must be seated and there must be a two-metre minimum between seats and an impermeable barrier between tables. Limit of four people seated together. Screening of all patrons is required, and contact information is required for all seated customers. No buffet style service is allowed. Face coverings are required except when eating or drinking. 

  • Barrie Recreation/Community Centres and local sports/fitness facilities can reopen with these restrictions:

    • 10 people indoors in each class/activity or 25 people outdoors in classes. 10 people indoors in areas with weights or exercise equipment.

    • Team sports must not be practiced or played except for training (no games or scrimmage).

    • Activities that are likely to result in individuals coming within two metres of each other are not permitted. No contact permitted for team or individual sports, with exemption for high performance athletes.
                                                                                                                                             

  • Meeting/event spaces can reopen with these restrictions:

    • Maximum of 10 people per facility indoors or 25 outdoors.

  • Retail stores must implement these additional restrictions:

    • Capacity limits of 75 per cent for supermarkets and other stores that primarily sell groceries, convenience stores, pharmacies.

    • 50 per cent capacity for all other retail, including discount and big box retailers, liquor stores, hardware stores and garden centres.

    • Stores must post capacity limit publicly.                                                                                                                                                

    • Stores must have passive screening for patrons (this does not apply to indoor malls, which will have to do screening in accordance with instructions by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health).

    • Stores within malls are subject to appropriate retail measures. Food court seating areas are closed, but take out is allowed.

Updates to City services and facilities

On Monday, Feb. 22, the City will reopen select recreation locations (Allandale, East Bayfield and Holly Community Centres) for use of the pool, ice and fitness centre, as well as in-person fitness classes. Advance bookings must be made, and safety guidelines followed by all patrons. More information and an expanded list of virtual Recreation classes that residents can take part in from their homes is available at play.barrie.ca.

The City’s customer service centre, Service Barrie, will also reopen for in-person appointments starting February 22. Call 705-726-4242 to book an appointment or visit barrie.ca/contact for more information on how to make an appointment. Residents are encouraged to continue to use the City’s online services to easily apply for small building permits, pay for parking or speeding tickets, and more.​ 

The Barrie Public Library will reopen its spaces on February 22. Patrons will be able to browse, borrow and return items, access computers and printers, and reserve work and study spaces. Curbside pickup will continue for low-contact pick-up of materials. Contact tracing and screening questionnaire required upon entry; maximum 50 visitors at a time and 60 minutes per visit. Visit barrielibrary.ca for more information.  

See the province's COVID-19 Response Framework for a full list of measures. Visit the Health Unit’s website for detailed and up-to-date information and steps you should take to stay safe.
Additional Resources:

*****************************

Comments

If you would like to apply to become a Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.