State of Emergency

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​On March 18, 2020, the Town of Newmarket declared a State of Emergency in response to COVID-19. This declaration allowed the Town of Newmarket to dedicate more resources to respond to COVID-19. Due to high vaccination rates, and lower COVID-19 numbers, the Town officially lifted the State of Emergency on August 9, 2021. Learn more by viewing more information on the termination of the State of Emergency.

The Town will continue to provide essential services to the community. This includes, but is not limited to, water and wastewater services, waste and recycling pick-up, general maintenance of Town-maintained roads, sidewalks and trails, customer service centre and more. 


The Town continues to work closely with York Region Health to monitor for cases of COVID-19 in Newmarket. York Region Health is also collaborating with local hospitals, emergency services and other health agencies to ensure prompt reporting and follow up of all individuals who may require testing for COVID-1
Statement from Mayor John Taylor 

“With York Region having vaccinated over 80% of eligible residents (one dose) and over 70% fully vaccinated (two doses), we have decided to terminate the State of Emergency in Newmarket. Through the State of Emergency, staff were able to pivot, adapt and rise to the challenge that COVID-19 has presented us with. I am very proud of our community for following health and safety protocols and all that we have accomplished. But this doesn’t mean we are out of the woods just yet. Let me be clear, if a fourth wave of COVID-19 materializes and is significant enough, we won’t hesitate to re-enact the order.

Please continue to stay vigilant and follow all public health and safety measures such as wearing a mask indoors and practicing safe physical distancing. The pandemic and the Delta variant are still a concern and now is not the time to forget the simple practices that will keep us from a fourth wave. If you haven’t done so already, please book a vaccination appointment at one of York Region’s clinics. These clinics also accept walk-in’s and have pop-up clinics around Town. Together we can and we will end this pandemic if we all do our part.”

Frequently asked questions about declaring a State of Emergency 

Why did the Town declare a State of Emergency
COVID-19 is an extraordinary event requiring extraordinary measures. This declaration has been made not to create panic, but to incite actions.

  • Our leadership in government and health have stated the breadth and spread of COVID-19 is extensive and rapid. It will take everyone’s dedication and focused effort to change processes and behaviour in order to flatten the curve.

  • Our Province and neighbouring municipalities have declared a state of emergency. On Tuesday, March 17, a province-wide state of emergency was enacted. The City of Toronto, along with the Town of Newmarket, and our neighbouring municipalities of Vaughan and the Town of Aurora also declared a state of emergency.  

  • COVID-19 is a global pandemic with a local impact. There are currently over 200,000 cases in 157 counties. While there are currently limited cases in Newmarket, we have an opportunity to practice the highest standards of social distancing and self-isolation in order to maintain the health of our community and limit the spread here and in York Region.

  • Everyone is listening and watching. Every member of the community is looking to its leaders to provide direction and model the behaviour we need to practice. The Town of Newmarket wants our community to know - we are taking this seriously and acting around the clock to put measures in place from cancelling all recreation programs to closing Town offices to the public and asking our own staff to work from home when possible. We are ahead of and following the latest recommendations from our regional, provincial and federal public health experts. 


These are only a few of the reasons why the Town of Newmarket declared a state of emergency. The Town will continue to communicate changes to the Town’s operations and offerings throughout the fluid situation. 

What does the “State of Emergency” in Newmarket mean?

For the Town, this means we can increase emergency measures. To start, we will activate our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), effective Thursday, March 19th. It will also allow us to dedicate more resources, outside of normal processes, including creating plans to support our community in these unprecedented times. 


During this time, all Council, Committee of the Whole, Board and Advisory Committee meetings will be suspended for the time being. The public will receive notice when scheduling resumes.


In order to meet the challenge we face, everyone needs to do their part to:

  • Limit contact with one another

  • Practice social distancing (having 2 meters, or 6 feet between people)

  • Wash their hands & disinfect our spaces

  • Self-monitor & self-isolate as required


Please take the advice and direction from our Public Health officials seriously. Please visit ontario.ca/covid19 for the latest recommendations and a self-assessment tool.

Emergency Orders 

Emergency Order No. 1

Effective May 9, 2020, the Town of Newmarket has temporarily amended the parking restrictions on Main Street by imposing a thirty (30) minute maximum parking limit to facilitate curbside pick-up or delivery. 

As the province begins to lift COVID-19 restrictions, retail stores with a street entrance can begin to provide curbside pick-up and delivery starting on Monday, May 11. 

The 30 minute maximum parking restriction applies to the east and west side of Main Street from Water Street to Davis Drive, where there was previously a two hour limit. 

Bylaw Officers will be enforcing these new parking restrictions to ensure spaces are available to both shoppers and businesses. Signs will be posted and Officers will be out educating residents about the change. Repeat offenders can face fines starting at $40.  

Residents who are not using curbside delivery are asked to use other downtown parking spaces, such as the lot around Market Square (P5-6) and east of Main Street around the Lion's Club (P3) and Riverwalk Commons (P1 & P7) shown in the attached parking guide. 

The curbside parking restrictions are outlined in the first Emergency Order enacted by Newmarket's Mayor under authority delegated to him by Council to allow the Town to address situations in a timely manner. This authority was granted to the Mayor during the April 27 Special Council Meeting. In addition Council passed an Emergency Measures By-law giving the Town flexibility to temporarily amend and enforce by-laws to react to the evolving COVID-19 landscape. Read more in Council Highlights. 

The curbside parking restrictions are temporary and will be in effect as long as needed. 

For more information on Emergency Order No. 1, please view the Order.

Emergency Order No. 2 

Mayor John Taylor enacted Emergency Order No. 2 on December 3, 2020 to further support the Provincial and Public Health regulations for businesses under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 17 ("ROA"), Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7 ("HPPA"), and any other legislation introduced in relation to COVID-19.

In an effort to ensure businesses in Newmarket are complying with Provincial and Public Health regulations for businesses, this Emergency Order will allow the Bylaws division to issues tickets due to non-compliance under the Town's Emergency Measures By-law and the Administrative Monetary Penalty System By-law (AMPS). Issuing tickets under AMPS will streamline the ticketing process and create a simple, accessible and customer-focused adjudication process for by-law offences.

The Town's Bylaws division will continue to use an education-first approach when performing inspections on businesses. They are committed to working with businesses to ensure they understand the Provincial and Public Health regulations and allow time for compliance. Issuing charges is the last resort.  

This order will last for a maximum of 30 days. After 30 days, the Mayor can revoke the Order, or bring the Order to be extended at a future Council Meeting.

Emergency Order No. 2 was enacted by Mayor John Taylor under authority delegated to him by Council to allow the Town to address situations in a timely manner. This authority was granted to the Mayor during the April 27, 2020 Special Council Meeting. In addition, Council passed an Emergency Measures By-law giving the Town flexibility to temporarily amend and enforce by-laws to react to the evolving COVID-19 landscape. 

For more information on Emergency Order No. 2, please view the Order.

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