Additional changes to City services to help reduce spread of omicron variant of concern

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In accordance with the most recently announced provincial regulations to prevent the spread of the omicron variant of concern, the following additional changes to City services and programming will go into effect beginning January 2, 2022.

Brantford Transit

  • Monday to Friday Brantford Transit morning rush half-hour service from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. remains unchanged at this time. Extra services to industrial areas will be provided as available.
  • Brantford Lift will continue to operate during regular hours, with passenger limits in place
  • Brantford Transit will operate on an hourly schedule (every 60 minutes) Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday service remains unchanged and will continue to operate hourly from 8:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.
  • Brantford Transit evening routes will operate from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (routes 11,12,13,14 and 15)
  • A maximum of 15-17 riders will be permitted on each Brantford Transit bus at any one time
  • Select seats will be blocked off so riders are always physically distanced from each other
  • Roof vents will be opened to provide better air circulation

As COVID-19 cases locally continue to rise, and to do all we can to prevent further community spread, customers are reminded to only use Brantford Transit for essential travel purposes including work, medical appointments, pharmacy visits, and grocery shopping.

Brantford Transit will not be available on New Year’s Day (January 1, 2022) and limited service will be offered for Brantford Lift.

Emergency Shelters

In an effort to further protect emergency shelter occupants who are required to isolate, an additional 12 isolation emergency shelter spaces will be made available January 1, 2022 bringing the total to 40 emergency shelter isolation spaces. Essential outreach services will continue to be provided at this time though response times may be delayed due to staff absences as a result of illness and/or requirements to self-isolate.

Child Care and Early Learning

At this time, EarlyON child and family centres continue to provide in person (indoor and outdoor) services and virtual programming. Indoor programming is limited to a maximum of 10 persons (staff and participants).  EarlyONs are prepared to close indoor programming and increase outdoor and / or virtual programming as may be directed by the province or local Medical Officer of Health.

The Ministry of Education has advised that they will be providing non-fitted N95 masks for Child Care Centres and EarlyONs in January. Child care and EarlyON staff will be required to wear either N95 or medical grade masks.

Previously announced City service changes in effect until further notice

Capacity Limits

Capacity limits in all City facilities remain limited to 50%. This includes Brantford City Hall as well as the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre (WGSC), Brantford Farmers’ Market and all City owned Community Centres and arenas. Capacity in all spaces including spectator and non-spectator areas, the WGSC fitness Centre and the Centreline Physio, Sports & Wellness clinic is reduced to 50%.

Entry requirements

Arenas

  • 50% capacity limit in spectator and non-spectator areas
  • Players can arrive 30 minutes prior to your ice time and need to vacate within 30 minutes following the end of your ice time.
  • Dressing rooms are open with masks and 2m/6ft physical distancing required.
  • Showers remain available at this time
  • Concessions at WGSC/Brantford & District Civic Centre/Lions Park Arena are closed at this time
  • WGSC restaurant will be limited to 50% capacity and close by 11:00 p.m. 
  • Alcoholic beverages will not be served after 10:00 p.m.
  • No external food/drink permitted in spectator and non-sport areas of any City facility.

Aquatics and Fitness programs at the WGSC remain open, limited to 50% capacity. Pre-registration will continue to be required for some programming such as Aquafit.

Community Centres

Current programming offerings continue, limited to 50% capacity at the following facilities:

  • Beckett Adult Leisure Centre
  • SC Johnson/T.B. Costain Community Centre
  • Woodman Park Community Centre
  • Doug Snooks Eagle Place Community Centre
  • Branlyn Community Centre
  • EarlyON Brantford Brant Child and Family Centres

Times Square in Harmony Square Event Cancellation

In light of increasing case numbers of COVID-19 locally, and upon the advice of public health officials to avoid large gatherings to curb the spread of the omicron variant of concern, on December 22, 2021  the City has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel this year’s Times Square in Harmony Square event.

Protect yourself and others

As of Monday, December 20, 2021, COVID-19 booster dose eligibility will expand to those who are 18+ years old and 84 days have passed since their second dose. To book your vaccine appointment, please visit the Brant County Health Unit’s website at www.bchu.org or Ontario’s online booking portal at covid19.ontariohealth.ca. You can also book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment through participating pharmacies at covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.

Stay Vigilant

Please continue to follow these important COVID-19 guidelines to keep yourself and others in our community safe:

  • Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, cover coughs or sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces and stay home if you are sick.
  • Wear a face covering in all public enclosed indoor spaces or when physical distancing (2 metres apart from those outside your household) cannot be maintained outdoors to reduce the risk of transmission.
  • Book your COVID-19 vaccination through the Brant County Health Unit.

Additional updates regarding City programs and services are shared regularly on the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages and at www.Brantford.ca/Coronavirus.

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