Welcome 2022, Vaccine Clinics, City Services Updates & more
Dear Neighbour,
Happy New Year! I hope you were able to find some joy and rest over the holiday season. I definitely relished some quality time with my family. I know many of you are frustrated to be starting the new year back in a modified Step 2 Reopening, I am too.
The Omicron variant is highly contagious and the case rates are skyrocketing, just as the provincial data projected earlier in December. We all had hoped a robust plan would be in place for childcare, education, and health care systems with abundant resources in place for the winter months - like public access to N95 masks, rapid and PCR tests. Instead, we are here all trying to cope with the changes and do our best to respond. My heart goes out to small businesses in the ward pivoting yet again, to educators and parents who have had to accommodate remote learning with only a few days’ notice, and all the residents who have had their medical procedures cancelled. In these uncertain times feelings of concern, stress, and anxiety are normal. Take one step at a time and access further resources here.
This e-newsletter will focus on information related to upcoming vaccine clinics, Public Health, and impacts on City services. If you need any support at this time, please reach out to our office and we will do all we can to support you.
A reminder that we are now on a bi-weekly e-newsletter schedule and look forward to continuing to keep you informed with this regular communication. This month, look out for the 2021 Ward 3 Community Impact Report arriving in your mailbox. I look forward to sharing all of the collective impact made in our Ward and across Hamilton.
As always, stay safe, use well-fitted masks at all times outside your home, and please stay home if you do not feel well.
Yours in community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
Hamilton currently has the worst COVID case rate in the province, which has gone up 71% in the last week. With numbers continuing to climb, vaccination is an important defence proven to help reduce the severity of symptoms. It remains true that some Ward 3 neighbourhoods remain behind the City average in vaccination rates.
I want to ensure that you know about every opportunity for vaccine clinics nearby. Please help us spread the word, and keep this highly contagious variant manageable.
The following locations are vaccine clinics in Ward 3. Please check here for the most up-to-date listing of vaccine clinics across the City.
WALK-IN CLINICS (No Appointment Required)
Hamilton Public Library, Barton Branch - 571 Barton St. E.
Saturday, January 8th - 10 am to 2 pm (operated by Refuge Newcomer Health, HCCI + partners).
No appt or health card required, interpretation, transportation + more supports available - email covidvaccine@newcomerhealth.ca or call 905-526-0000 (Ages 5+)
Mission Services - 196 Wentworth St. N.
(use Good Food Centre/Community Services entrance)
Every Wednesday - 11 am to 2 pm
No appt or ID required, wheelchair accessible, support available in Spanish + booster shots to those eligible.
(Ages 12+)
Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre - 192 Wentworth St N.
January 6th - 9 am to 4:30 pm
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available
GO-VAXX indoor clinic
(Age 5+)
COMBINED CLINICS (Walk-in Eligibility or Appointment as specified)
Appointments are required for 5-11-year-olds for first or second doses.
Appointments are required for all booster/third doses (except 50+ at Centre on Barton only).
Walk-In eligibility for anyone 12+ accessing their first or second dose.
Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre - 192 Wentworth St N.
Every Tuesday - 9:30 am to 11:30 am & 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
(Age 12+)
Hamilton Public Library, Barton Branch - 571 Barton St. E.
January 6th - 9:30 am - 11:30 am & 1:00 to 3:30 pm
January 13th - 1:00 to 3:30 pm & 5:00 to 7:00 pm (operated by City of Hamilton
(Age 12+)
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre - 876 Cannon St. E.
Every Friday - 9:30 am to 11:30 am & 1:00 to 3:30 pm
(Ages 12+)
Centre on Barton - 1211 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8H 2V4 (between the Brick & Giant Tiger)
Daily - 8:00 am to 8:30 pm
(Age 5+)
Walk-in booster doses for adults aged 50+ are available at the Centre on Barton COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. Please note this clinic is right outside Ward 3 but is extremely close.
Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen
As of this Wednesday, the province moved to a modified version of Step Two measures to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
These measures include:
Reducing social gathering limits to five people indoors and 10 people outdoors
Limiting capacity at organized public events to five people indoors.
Requiring businesses and organizations to ensure employees work remotely unless the nature of their work requires them to be on-site.
Limiting the capacity at indoor weddings, funerals, religious services, rites, and ceremonies to 50 percent
Retail settings and personal care services are permitted at 50 percent capacity.
Indoor dining closeted. Outdoor dining with restrictions, takeout, drive-through, and delivery is permitted.
Museums, galleries, historic sites, botanical gardens, indoor concert venues, theatres, cinemas, indoor sport, and recreation facilities are all closed.
Please review the regulation for the full list of mandatory public health and workplace safety measures here.
Impacts to City Services
Prior to the holidays, we shared that all recreation centres were closing as well as indoor programming with arenas remaining open. In keeping with the new provincial regulations announced this week, the City has closed arenas (arenas will still be accessible to Olympic and Paralympic athletes for training purposes, following all public health measures).
Outdoor rinks remain available at a 50% capacity and could be even lower when it is difficult to maintain a physical distance.
City services are also affected by COVID-19 with rising numbers of staff isolating and/or recovering as a result of positive COVID-19 cases. I wish all of our staff a full recovery as they heal from the virus. With this in mind, the City is currently experiencing service and staffing impacts in Lodges, Hamilton Fire, Hamilton Paramedic Services and HSR and as such, levels of services will be adjusted as needed.
As per the provincial announcement, all Hamilton Public Library branches are required to operate at a 50% capacity. Additionally, the library operating hours have been modified as staffing and resources have been redirected to assist with the City’s vaccination efforts. Staff is still available to help in-branch, via phone, email, and chat. The public may also drop in for printing, laminating certificates, using computers, or picking up a Grab & Go bag. To keep up with all library updates please see their website.
HPL’s Bookmobile will continue to offer a modified schedule for contactless returns and holds pickup. No appointment is necessary. Browsing the collection on the Bookmobile isn’t possible right now, due to health precautions. What you need to do when you visit the Bookmobile:
Visit HPL’s modified Bookmobile Schedule to find your nearest stop/time.
Bring your Library card and show it to staff.
Receive a paper bag with your holds already checked out.
Please wear a mask and sanitize your hands upon arrival. Stop dates and times are subject to change. Follow HPL on social media and check hpl.ca for updates. Have more questions? Visit the Bookmobile FAQ.
For a full list of all affected City services, including closures, modifications, and cancellations, please see here.
Ward 3 Residents Recognized with the Order of Hamilton
Congratulations to all Order of Hamilton recipients! With a special shout out to Ward 3 residents Margaret Bennett and Alex Moroz, whose community-focused, volunteer work has had direct, positive impacts in our neighbourhoods. Please see the full write-up in the Spec here.
Nominations for Hamilton Arts Awards – nominate by January 14
Recognize a local artist or arts community supporter with an Arts Awards Nomination! See more information on the nomination process, past award recipients, and award sponsors here.