What to expect this Victoria Day weekend in Brampton amid COVID-19 pandemic

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Published May 12, 2020 at 6:20 pm

This year, the Victoria Day long weekend will feel a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The holiday will fall this upcoming Monday, May 18, 2020. 

This year, the Victoria Day long weekend will feel a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The holiday will fall this upcoming Monday, May 18, 2020. 

With guidance from Peel Public Health and for the safety of Brampton’s residents and employees, City Hall and all other City of Brampton facilities, including Recreation and Community Centres and Brampton Library branches, remain closed until further notice to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

All critical services, including Fire and Emergency Services, Traffic Services, By-Law Enforcement, Road Operations, POA Courts and Security Services will continue to operate as usual to support the community.

To help Bramptonians celebrate Victoria Day from their homes, the City has created family-friendly activities online, takeout options from local restaurants as well as a virtual fireworks display, powered by SnapdHUB.

Residents are also encouraged to order from local restaurants on Victoria Day as part of the Hey Brampton! Let’s Eat! campaign led by Experience Brampton.

A virtual fireworks display will offer residents a safe alternative to traditional Victoria Day fireworks displays.

The virtual show will begin online at 8:00 pm, with a countdown to the fireworks at 7:50 PM. 

In terms of fireworks, Victoria Day is one of four holidays per year when short-range fireworks are allowed on private property, without the need for a permit, in the City of Brampton.

Short-range fireworks are those that tend to travel less than three metres or 10 feet, when set off.

All other rocket-type fireworks are banned in Brampton.

The City reminds residents that fireworks are not permitted on the street, sidewalks, within City parks or on municipal or school properties.

When using short-range fireworks on private property, residents must follow these safety precautions:

– Have a container of water or a hose line filled with water available to extinguish fireworks.

– Never light a firework or hold a lit firework in your hand, other than a sparkler

– Never throw or point fireworks at other people.

– After using sparklers, place them in a container of water to fully cool before disposal.

– Allow all fireworks to fully cool before disposal.

If residents see fireworks being sold in stores or elsewhere in Brampton, they are asked to report to Service Brampton through the Brampton 311 mobile app, online, or by calling 311. 

There are also important rules and regulations the community needs to keep in mind to stay safe in response to COVID-19, such as practicing physical distancing, avoiding crowds, avoiding facilities that are closed and avoiding gatherings of five or more people.

Residents must also discard used facemasks, protective gloves and other home healthcare waste by placing them in a bag and disposing of them in the garbage.

Penalties are now in place under the Brampton COVID-19 Emergency Measures By-law. Individuals can be fined a minimum of $500 and a maximum of up to $100,000 for each offence for not adhering to physical distancing measures. Residents are asked to call 311 to report non-compliance.

Brampton Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule with some route cancellations on Victoria Day.

The following routes will be in service: 1 Queen, 11 Steeles, 50 Gore Road, 2 Main, 14 Torbram, 52 McMurchy, 3 McLaughlin, 15 Bramalea, 115 Pearson Airport, 4 Chinguacousy, 18 Dixie, 501 Züm Queen, 5 Bovaird, 23 Sandalwood, 502 Züm Main, 7 Kennedy, 30 Airport Road and 511 Züm Steeles.

All recreation programming and facility rentals are cancelled until further notice and all Brampton Library branches are also closed until further notice.

The Brampton Animal Shelter will be closed on the Sunday and Monday of Victoria Day weekend. 

For more information, click here.

Photo courtesy of the City of Brampton

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