As provincial restrictions are lifted, the City continues to adjust operations.
“The City of Orillia continues to adapt operations as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Our services and facilities have moved back to pre-pandemic operations,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “City of Orillia facilities and services continue to be mask-friendly and we remind patrons to please be respectful of each other’s choices and comfort levels.”
Masks on Orillia Transit
In line with the provincial COVID-19 legislation, masking on Orillia Transit is no longer required for riders effective at midnight on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Waterfront Parking
As the municipal state of emergency was lifted and there are no longer restrictions related to gathering or travel within the province, the City has returned to pre-pandemic parking requirements. At this time there are no fees for parking at Orillia waterfront parks or the use of City of Orillia boat launches. A Waterfront and Downtown Area Traffic and Parking Study is currently underway, which will include recommendations for the future related to parking, such as the number of parking lots, spaces and their locations, along with parking management strategies, such as pricing, timing and availability. Parking surrounding the waterfront will also be impacted by the Centennial Drive Phase 2 Reconstruction project starting later this summer. For more information on parking in Orillia, visit orillia.ca/parking.
Barbecues in City Parks
At its meeting on June 6, 2022, Council approved an amendment to the City’s Parkland By-law to begin allowing barbecues, camp stoves and smokers in City parks again effective immediately. The by-law had been previously amended in 2021 to mitigate issues in City parks as a result of overcrowding. Residents and visitors are reminded that cooking oils and charcoal briquettes must be taken with you when you leave the park. Please do not dispose of cooking oils or briquettes on the grass or in City waste containers within the parks.
“We are pleased to see progress and offer more options for residents and visitors to enjoy our parks,” said Mayor Clarke. “While COVID-19 regulations have expired, we must remember that COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. Vaccination and booster doses remain vital to reducing the spread. If you haven’t gotten the vaccine or your booster, please do so as soon as possible and please continue to follow the basics: self-screen for symptoms, practice good hand hygiene and stay home when you are ill.”
For more information regarding the status of City facilities and services, please visit orillia.ca/COVID-19.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit continues to stress the importance of vaccination and personal protective health behaviours to protect and reduce the transmission of COVID-19. For COVID-19 updates, assessment centre information, and the latest vaccination information from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, visit simcoemuskokahealth.org/COVID19.