City of Toronto cancels holiday camps and programs due to COVID-19
City of Toronto cancels holiday camps and programs due to COVID-19 — TORONTO, Dec. 17. 2020 — The City of Toronto is cancelling all planned 2020 holiday CampTO camps and winter instructional programs, including Learn-to-Skate and Instructional Ski, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 as Toronto’s COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise. This decision follows recommendations from Toronto Public Health and the City’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa while Toronto remains in the Grey – Lockdown category of the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework.
The City’s holiday camps were scheduled to run at 30 locations beginning December 21 to align with the winter school break. Approximately 706 participants had registered this year for City holiday camps. This year, there were close to 441 registrations for Learn-to-Skate programs and 4,919 instructional ski spaces. Registration for instructional ski spaces had not yet occurred. The City is issuing refunds automatically to all current camp and Learn-to-Skate registrants. While registrants do not need to request a refund, they can contact pfrcustomerservice@toronto.ca with any questions.
“At this critical time, we must continue to follow public health advice. With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in Toronto the advice has been clear, we need to stay home as much as possible and take steps for self-protection,” said Mayor John Tory. “It is deeply regrettable that we cannot offer holiday camp and instructional programming for kids this year, but the City is committed to taking action to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Mayor Tory.
This winter, residents can continue to take part in a range of outdoor activities with members of their household in the City’s many parks and green spaces. A complete list of activities is available here . The cancellation of holiday camps and instructional programming does not impact leisure and drop-in opportunities at the City’s outdoor artificial ice rinks and other outdoor parks amenities that are permitted to remain open while Toronto is in the Grey – Lockdown category of the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework.
The City is reviewing operations of its Centennial Park and Earle Bales Park ski and snowboard centres, decisions to open the ski hills and offer leisure ski and snowboarding will be made following recommendations from Toronto Public Health. Decisions to offer winter recreation registration as well as winter recreation and fitness programming are contingent upon Provincial orders. More information will be shared closer to January.
All Toronto residents should be adopting steps for self-protection. Everyone should only consider leaving their homes for essential activities such as work, school and fresh air and exercise. As much as possible, residents are asked to limit contact to people in the same household, keep at least six feet apart from people not in the same household and wear a mask when outside of their homes, especially in indoor settings and when physical distancing is difficult. Residents should wash hands frequently and remain at home when ill.
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check here for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
SOURCE City of Toronto
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