In 2021, the world's news organizations were dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Oakville News was no exception.
The year began with lockdowns and awaiting vaccine deliveries. We all watched as the US vaccination efforts eclipsed the rest of the world, and we lagged as every country fought for COVID-19 vaccines.
Once vaccinations became readily available in Canada, we lined up for our first, second and, more recently, booster shots. It didn't take as long for the country to become one of the most vaccinated globally.
This status translated into Canada having one of the lowest death rates per capita amongst first world economies.
More recently, we've been dealing with the resurgence of COVID-19 due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Top 10 COVID-19 stories for 2021 in Oakville, Ontario
To read the complete stories, click on the article's headline.
1.Oakville dad posts video of toboggan hill confrontation
Complaints of overcrowding prompt Town of Oakville and Halton Regional Police Service officers to clear a popular toboggan hill in the Glen Abbey community of Oakville, Ontario.
2. Oakville will re-enter Red-Control Level on February 16, 2021
Halton Region, including the town of Oakville, will re-enter Ontario's reopening framework in the Red-Control Level beginning Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Here's what will and will not be allowed to open.
3. Movie production continues in Oakville
Movie production crews use the decommissioned Centennial Pool and Navy Street as the settings for an upcoming children's movie.
4. Oakville's reopening begins on Feb. 16/21
Oakville is expected to move into the province's new RED-Control as of Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Here is what you can expect.
5. How Oakville moves to Orange-Restrict
Could Oakville and Halton Region move from Red-Control to Orange-Restrict when the province re-assesses COVID-19 restrictions? It looks promising so long as we continue along our current path.
5. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Oakville
Oakville resident Rosemarie de Souza shares her 84-year-old husband's experience preparing for and getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
7. The stay-at-home order is over - now what?
Ontario's third (and hopefully last) stay-at-home order has officially ended. But what exactly happens now? What rules are still in place, and how will this affect our daily lives in Oakville?
8. No cake for YouTube celebrities who ordered up a slice of Internet shame for Oakville dessert chain
A popular restaurant apologized last week for their part in upsetting their YouTuber celebrity guests. Demetres says the conflict arose over confusion about table seating and Covid protocols. The Idrees says it was Islamophobia.
9. Ontario released a three-step reopening plan for summer 2021
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced today that outdoor recreation could reopen starting this Saturday, May 22. Like last summer, Ontario will use a three-phase reopening plan, possibly beginning June 14 and continuing through summer 2021.
10. Downtown Oakville restaurant targeted for COVID fines
Bereaved of his wife, ticketed by public health, and struggling to keep his remaining businesses afloat, restaurateur George Couto turns his attention towards raising funds for Kerr Street Community Services.