A statement from the Mayor on the two-year anniversary of COVID-19

Two years ago, on March 25, 2020, the City of Kitchener joined local municipalities in declaring a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Today, in response to positive health indicators and provincial guidance, Kitchener is rescinding this emergency declaration.

The state of emergency, which provided flexibility for the city to respond quickly to the pandemic, is no longer needed at this time. While ending our state of emergency does not mean we don’t need to remain vigilant in our battle against COVID-19, it does mean we have better tools to deal with this virus and serves as a sign of arriving at a new normal where we co-exist and look forward to better days ahead. It is a symbol of hope and optimism as we move toward a brighter future.

We can’t deny that the past two years have been tough. The story of Kitchener has seen its share of sorrow and fear. Residents have lost loved ones, lost their livelihoods, and lost important connections to friends, family, and colleagues. We’ve missed important milestones, stayed apart, and made public health measures part of our everyday lives.

We have stayed apart out of necessity, but sometimes we’ve seen that distance grow into deep-rooted division. Now that we have arrived at this new normal, I’m hopeful that we can begin to heal and move forward together as a community. That doesn’t mean brushing our differences aside or going back to the way things were. But it does mean looking towards a shared future, with common interests.

Over the past two years, we have seen some of the best that our community’s human spirit is capable of. As we continue to move forward, we need to call on our shared resilience and move forward with a renewed sense of hope and optimism.

On behalf of Kitchener Council, I want to thank everyone who made sacrifices to get us to this point. Thanks to City staff and Council for their tireless collective commitment to public service. A big thank-you to essential service workers, first responders, healthcare heroes and community volunteers who helped all of us through COVID-19 with unwavering dignity and grace. Lastly, and most importantly, thanks to you, our community members, who made countless sacrifices through your care and compassion for your neighbours and weathered the pandemic with hope, humour and creativity. It is you, the citizens and businesses of our community who have been the biggest heroes of all.

As we continue to ease out of the pandemic, we must move forward with caution, patience and kindness. COVID-19 is still circulating in our community and we must remain diligent about staying home when we have symptoms and recognize that everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to reducing our precautions and returning to being back in person and/or taking off our masks.

I’m both optimistic and confident that we’re headed toward a spring and summer of community reconnection and positive memories that will spark our Kitchener community spirit once again. From weddings and patio gatherings, to live theatre, well-loved festivals, and cheering on our home teams, I invite you to continue to support our small businesses, share in the optimism of better days ahead and reconnect with family, friends and neighbours as we once again enjoy all that this great city has to offer.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic on behalf of Kitchener Council