On March 18, 2020, the municipalities of Aurora and Newmarket declared an emergency due to increasing community spread of COVID-19.[1] By the next week, the provincial government declared an emergency and imposed immediate public health measures.
Timeline
February 2020
February 25 – a woman from Iran returning to York Region tests positive for COVID-19. This was the first case reported in York Region.[2]
March 2020
March 23 – the provincial government orders all non-essential businesses (e.g. restaurants, mall retail) to close. Gathering limits are introduced. Due to the hardship imposed on businesses, subsidies and financial relief measures were introduced.[3]
April 2020
April 10 – an outbreak at Participation House, a care home takes place. Participation House is a care home for adults with developmental disabilities.[4]
Government response
Transit
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a lockdown, York Region Transit reduced service. School routes were cancelled. To reduce contact between the driver and passengers, boarding was done at the back door [5] and fares were not collected until July 2, 2020, when front-door boarding resumed.[6]
Impacts
Business closures and cancellations
COVID-19 has led to shutdowns of non-essential businesses in York Region, such as restaurants, movie theatres and gyms. This happened at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. By July 2020, non-essential businesses were permitted to open in stage 3, but were closed again on October 19, 2020.[7]
Schools
At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, COVID-19 forced schools in York Region to close for the rest of the academic year.[8]
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