Advertisement

Coronavirus: City of Barrie temporarily lays off portion of its workforce due to pandemic

The city has laid off 470 workers temporarily, including part-term recreation and theatre staff and part-time transit clerks, said a city spokesperson. Nick Westoll / File / Global News

The City of Barrie has announced that it’s temporarily laying off a portion of its workforce as a result of COVID-19.

The city is temporarily laying off 470 part-time theatre and recreation staff, as well as part-time transit clerks.

“The downtown transit terminal is closed,” said Scott LaMantia, a city spokesperson.

“They would be the ones that would be selling the passes. Transit is free right now, so there’s no need for them at this point.”

Barrie CAO Michael Prowse said the decision to lay off staff members wasn’t taken lightly.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“These are truly unprecedented times, and the city is faced with tough choices of how we operate during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Prowse said in a statement.

Story continues below advertisement

“Our main goal is to keep our employees safe and healthy and get them back to work as soon as responsibly possible.”

Prowse said the city will continue to follow coronavirus-related mandates that have been set out by the province.

As of Monday, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has confirmed a total of 98 local cases, including five deaths. In Ontario, there have been 4,347 cases.

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus outbreak: Officials at Barrie hospital discuss Ontario’s first virus-related death'
Coronavirus outbreak: Officials at Barrie hospital discuss Ontario’s first virus-related death

Sponsored content

AdChoices