News Release

For Immediate Release

April 2, 2020

Richmond Hill Asks for Residents’ Help to Keep Community Safe

Extends closures and provides waste collection safety guidelines

RICHMOND HILL – In a continued effort to protect the community and stop the spread of COVID-19, the City has extended the closure of facilities to the public until May 31 and cancelled all City-led and Council festivals and events until June 30.

All permits for third-party events until June 30 are also cancelled and no new permits will be issued until further notice. All performances and bookings at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts are cancelled until May 31.

Residents are urged to support these efforts by respecting the closures of outdoor park amenities, such as playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment, sports fields, dog parks, tennis/basketball courts, skate parks, park shelters, tables and benches. Parks and trails remain open for walkthrough access only. Anyone who is visiting a park or trail should practice physical distancing. By-law officers are patrolling the City to ensure compliance and those continuing to used closed park amenities and/or congregate in groups could receive a $750 ticket.

 In addition, while garbage, recycling and organics collection continue as scheduled, yard waste collection is delayed until May 19. Yard waste should be safely stored (preferably in a garage or shed) until collection begins. Visit RichmondHill.ca/YardWaste for details.

Residents can help keep our community and contracted waste collection staff safe by following these waste collection safety guidelines:

• Carefully bag and tie all garbage and green bin materials in plastic bags.
• Dispose of masks, gloves, wipes and other hygiene products in the garbage, not blue box. If these items are found in the blue box, recycling will not be collected.
• Do not flush any wipes down the toilet. Sewer blockages can occur.
• Wash your hands before and after handling waste and waste containers. Regularly clean your containers using soap and water.
• Support our collection staff by keeping the required 2 metre physical distancing.
• Do not litter.
• If you are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19, place all disposable items you use in the garbage, not the blue box or green bin.

Residents are also encouraged to subscribe to RichmondHill.ca/Waste for updates or download the Recycle Coach app from the App Store or Google Play.

For ongoing updates on the City’s response to COVID-19, visit RichmondHill.ca/COVID19 or follow us on Twitter @myRichmondHill.