City of Burlington Waives Downtown Parking fees During COVID-19
This article first appeared on burlington.ca
Burlington, Ont.—March 17, 2020 — As the City of Burlington continues to support the efforts to slow the COVID-19 virus, payment is not required for on-street parking or in municipal parking lots until further notice. This is to take away numerous people touching the same parking machines throughout the day. Parking enforcement for lack of payment is also suspended. Machines are being put ‘out-of-order’ and covered with stickers to let patrons know that payment is not required.
Parking enforcement is currently limited to safety-related issues such as fire routes, accessible parking, no parking/stopping areas and blocked areas. Time limit restrictions have been relaxed to help those working from home or self-isolating.
For this measure to be successful and deliver its intended relief, it is imperative that parking permit holders in municipal lots continue to park in their assigned lots.
Residents who would like to dispute a ticket, can do so online or via a phone meeting. Because ticket review requests have dropped in volume, parking services is reducing the number of days per week that online and phone requests will be reviewed. Online and phone ticket reviews will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., until further notice.
The best thing residents can do to protect themselves and the community, is stay home.
This situation is evolving every hour and we are continually monitoring. The City of Burlington will continue to keep you informed.
For further information and updates, the City has launched the webpage Burlington.ca/coronavirus.
Burlington is ranked as Canada’s best community and best place to raise a family. It is a City where people, nature and businesses thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/Enews and download the free City of Burlington app.
Quotes
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
“I am in complete support of the City’s decision. The COVID-19 situation has created a lot of uncertainty and worry for many residents — paying for parking while ducking out quickly for food or supplies shouldn’t be one of them. In addition, relaxing time limit restrictions will help those community members working from home or self-isolating. These are difficult times, but we will get through them, as long as we continue to follow the advice of our medical professionals and employ social distancing. Please remember to check in on family, friends and neighbours via phone, email and social media.”
Ward 2 City of Burlington Councillor Lisa Kearns
“At this time, it’s so important as a city to focus on essential services, including parking. Keeping visitors and patrons safe while parking in the downtown remains a priority. We recognize our downtown partners require support as many have temporarily closed or modified operations. This initiative to waive daily parking fees can make it easier for people to support downtown businesses when essential items are needed, when picking up online orders or gift cards, or when making food service pick-ups. I am encouraged that offering this relief is one additional way we can show that we are all in this together.”
Brian Dean, Executive Director, Burlington Downtown Business Association
“Parking infrastructure and available parking supply downtown are key to maintaining the steady flow of goods and services to our small business community. The relaxation of parking enforcement during this challenging time for our small business entrepreneurs is a welcomed development. The Burlington Downtown Business Association and its four hundred-member businesses appreciate the flexibility in parking operations toward our continued growth in this uniquely challenging time.”
Quick Facts
- Contact Halton Region Public Health by calling 311, 905-825-6000 or toll-free at 1-866-442-5866 if you have a fever OR cough OR breathing difficulty AND any of the following:
- travelled outside of Canada in the 14 days before onset of illness; or
- close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19; or
- close contact with a person with acute respiratory illness who travelled to affected areas within 14 days prior to their illness onset.
Links and Resources
- For further COVID-19 information, including where to get tested, please visit Halton Region Public Health www.halton.ca/coronavirus
- Residents can stay informed at www.burlington.ca/healthandsafety as well as on our social media channels: @cityburlington on twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington
- Questions about the cancellation of Recreation programs can be directed to rentals@burlington.ca or liveandplay@burlington.ca or 905-335-7738
- Government of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-coronavirus
- Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/coronavirus
- World Health Organization: www.who.int
Communications contact:
Kwab Ako-Adjei
Director, Corporate Communications & Government Relations
Office: 905-335-7600, ext. 7747
kwab.ako-adjei@burlington.ca