Cobourg, ON (December 16, 2020) – – In accordance with the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open and local public health guidelines and to further ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community it has been decided that this year’s First Night New Year’s celebration, Mayor’s Community Skate, Mayor’s New Year’s Levee (now virtual) and Family Day events are cancelled.

On December 4, 2020, the Town of Cobourg within the Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit region moved to the “PROTECT” yellow category of the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open. Through this category public gatherings are limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

“We have been monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic daily and have made the responsible decision to cancel further upcoming holiday and winter events,” said Tracey Vaughan, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Cobourg. “I appreciate our community support and those who continue to abide by provincial and local health unit guidelines to help keep our residents safe.”

The Town of Cobourg encourages residents to celebrate the holiday and winter season safely this year by participating in virtual events or outdoor activities with members of your household. Here are a few local activities residents can safely participate in:

• Mayor’s ‘Virtual’ New Year’s Levee: This year we will be releasing a pre-recorded video on New Year’s Day at 12 noon on the Town of Cobourg’s YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/towncobourg that will feature the Concert Band of Cobourg, a poetry reading from Poet Laureate Jessica Outram, a cry from Town Crier Mandy Robinson and Mayor Henderson speaking to the highlights of 2020 (despite the pandemic!).
  
  As a special treat the Town has partnered with Baxter’s Bakery who will be giving away 100 delicious baked goods. It’s first come, first serve – sign up at www.cobourg.ca/treats and enjoy on New Year’s Day!

• Christmas Magic: Grab a hot chocolate from a local shop and take a stroll through Victoria Park and Rotary Harbourfront Outdoor Park to experience over 100,000 dazzling lights and displays.
• Parade Floats: View the winning festive parade static floats stationed in front of the Cobourg Public Library and within Victoria Park.
• Home Decoration Driving Tour: Download the “Home Decoration Challenge Driving Tour” map at www.experiencecobourg.ca to explore the beautiful festive displays by residents.
• Rotary Harbourfront Outdoor Rink: Lace up your skates and enjoy the outdoor rink, capacity limits are set to 25/skaters between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
• Shop Local: Let’s continue to support our local businesses by shopping local. Wear your mask and remember to physically distance.

In alignment with the Province of Ontario, the Town of Cobourg is also strongly recommending that residents celebrate the holiday season safely by limiting interactions and gatherings to members of your immediate household only.

Stay Informed
The Town of Cobourg has launched a dedicated COVID-19 webpage that includes program and service updates, news issued from the municipality and risk reduction advice. Updates will be posted to www.cobourg.ca/covid19 as they come in.

For local health unit updates visit the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s website www.hkpr.on.ca. For provincial information including the status of cases in the province visit www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus.