Peterborough Public Health Releases Guidelines For Safe Holiday Celebrations
/As the holiday season approaches, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough Public Health encourage residents to continue to follow all Provincial requirements and public health guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the Province has eased certain restrictions to allow for more activities, Provincial emergency orders remain in effect and the City of Peterborough remains in an emergency declaration.
Recently, the Province has experienced increasing COVID-19 case counts, which emphasizes the need to follow safe practices during the pandemic.
“Our community is doing extremely well in getting vaccinated against COVID-19. We need to keep up those efforts,” Mayor Diane Therrien said. “Getting vaccinated reduces the chances of severe illness if you get COVID-19; however, vaccination doesn’t remove the need to be safe when socializing and celebrating the holidays during the pandemic.
Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health, reiterated that layering public health measures is the best way to reduce virus transmission.
“It’s the combination of practices such as vaccination, wearing well-made and tightly fitting masks, and distancing that help keep everyone safest,” he said. “It’s also important to recognize that others may have a lower tolerance for risk than you, and to respect their wishes if they prefer to introduce additional precautions.”
When heading out for activities over the holidays, PPH asks that community members remember:
Events and gatherings are exciting, but close contact with non-household members, large crowds, and travelling can increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Holiday activities such as parties, parades, and organized gatherings must meet both local and provincial requirements.
Only participate in holiday activities you know follow COVID-19 safety guidelines, and meet your comfort level.
Follow capacity limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings/events, masking and distancing a minimum 2 metres from non-household members, considering vaccine status, etc.
Outdoor settings are safer than indoors, but there is still risk of COVID-19 transmission, especially among unvaccinated or at-risk groups. Virtual is the safest way to celebrate.
Stay home if you have symptoms and remember to self-screen for COVID-19 before going out.
Guidelines are set out under the Reopening Ontario Act (O.Reg. 364/20) providing direction for safe activities and other public health measures during the pandemic. Under these regulations, there are certain requirements that must be followed if planning holiday celebrations, and recommendations to reduce the risk to yourself and others.
For outdoor gatherings and events (including parades):
Maximum capacity of 100 people outdoors
Parade participants should remember:
If people are not able to maintain 2 metres from non-household members, then you must wear a mask/face covering
Performers in parades should:
Be fully vaccinated, and performers on floats should wear a face covering if unable to distance from others
Avoid crowds as much as possible
If individuals are unvaccinated or from multiple households, consider wearing a mask
Holding an event on City property, including parades on City streets, requires the completion of a special event permit that includes information on safety planning and insurance requirements. Depending on the special event being held, applications are reviewed by police, fire services, and the City’s traffic and public works divisions. Applications are required to be submitted 90 days in advance of an event. Peterborough Public Health would be consulted on public health requirements.
For the City’s Special Event Planning Guide, please visit https://www.peterborough.ca/en/explore-and-play/event-hosting.aspx.
After the Kinsmen Club announced it will not be organizing a Santa Claus parade this year due to the pandemic, the City has not received any applications for holding a Santa Claus parade this year.
Public health requirements and recommendations related to indoor gatherings and events (including private parties):
The maximum capacity for social gatherings in private residences is 25 people indoors.
The maximum capacity for other indoor settings (e.g., food service establishment, banquet hall, event space, etc.) can allow 25 people indoors for a social gathering. Depending on the facility, a higher capacity limit may be granted for businesses and organizations if a number of COVID-19 protocols are in place (see below).
In most instances, proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., 2 doses of a 2-dose vaccine plus a 14-day period following the last vaccination) is required for high-risk indoor settings
Masks are required to be worn inside, with exemptions including when people are eating or drinking
If the celebration is held in a meeting or event space, common room, or venue where facility staff are ‘in charge’ (e.g., food service) staff/guests are required to:
Provide proof of full vaccine status at the point of entry
Be actively screened at the point of entry
Have their contact tracing information kept and stored for 30 days
Abide by the safety plan requirements of that establishment
Wear a mask at all times, with limited exceptions including while eating and drinking
