The challenge we have faced over the past six weeks is unlike anything we have experienced before. I want to once again thank the incredible residents and businesses of Richmond Hill for working alongside the City and doing their part to protect our community against COVID-19. 

The health of our community remains our top priority throughout this troubling time and will continue to be a priority as we begin the work of reopening. City staff and officials have begun important discussions about how we can recover our economy and ultimately reopen our community in whole. A responsible and united approach is needed as we balance both the health and economic needs of residents and businesses in Richmond Hill, throughout Ontario and across the nation. 

I am pleased the Ontario government released its framework today to help all municipalities better understand how restrictions may be lifted going forward.  The framework will help to shape our local recovery plans, including our ongoing efforts to support businesses through our economic development team and the newly established Recover Richmond Hill Task Force. We will continue to work closely with our provincial partners, as well as our regional public health officials, as we work to restart our community.

Recovery will take time. While we look forward to when we can reopen parks and community centres, as noted in the Ontario framework, our steps toward recovery begin with a reduction of new and existing COVID-19 cases. I implore all Richmond Hill residents to keep up your efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19 – maintain physical distancing, practice good hand hygiene and continue to stay home as much as possible. Together, we will move forward and recover.

Dave Barrow
Mayor, Richmond Hill

Contact: Kathleen Graver, Manager, Communication Services, kathleen.graver@richmondhill.ca, 905-771-2418