West Island residents facing new COVID-19 restrictions

West Island municipalities have announced new preventive measures during Quebec's COVID-19 curfew.

For the city of Beaconsfield, the new measures took effect Saturday, Jan. 9 and will continue until Monday, Feb. 8.

Beaconsfield has closed its Recreation Centre on City Lane and postponed the registration period for leisure programs and activities for the winter session to a later date.

Beaconsfield's outdoor rinks are open with new schedules and restrictions. The Heights and Christmas Park rinks will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and only solo hockey or by people from the same family group who live together in the same residence will be permitted with a limit of 16 skaters.

Other rinks for public skating will be open from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. A limit of 25 skaters applies.

Municipal facilities such as Centennial Hall, the Herb Linder Annex and park chalets are closed to the public, and all activities offered by third parties or community associations on city premises are cancelled until further notice.

The city also noted that essential services, such as garbage collection, recycling and snow removal, will be maintained.

The Beaconsfield Library will offer contactless loans by reservation only. (Online at beaconsfieldbiblio.ca or by phone at 514 428-4400, ext. 4470.) There is a maximum of 25 reservations per library user. The book drop will remain open for returns at all times and due dates and fines will be maintained

Citizens are asked to only pick up reserved documents once you have received a notice by email or phone from the library. “Do not show up at the library if you have not reserved any documents,” the city noted.

Also, there is no access to “book stacks, computers, or furniture. Access only to the circulation counter.” The revised library opening hours are Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday, from 1 to 7:30 p.m.

City Hall remains open to the public, but face coverings are mandatory to enter public buildings. “Anyone coming to City Hall refusing to wear a mask will, unfortunately, be denied access,” the city said.

Customer service counters can only accommodate one person at a time. The city advises citizens to make an appointment to avoid waiting in line outside the building by calling 514-428-4400.

In Pointe-claire, outdoor rinks will close at 7:30 p.m. and will be reserved for free skating only. The rinks will be reserved for Pointeclaire residents only. Hockey activities are not permitted.

All recreational skating and swimming activities at Bob Birnie Arena and Aquatic Centre will be suspended.

Only the lifeguard classes, Sportétudes programs and training activities for identified elite athletes will continue.

In Dollard-des-ormeaux, outdoor rinks can be used for free skating only, with a capacity of 25 people. Hockey is prohibited until further notice. The outdoor rinks in Dollard will close at 7:30 p.m.