Starting July 24, with the appropriate health and safety measures in place, more businesses, including fitness centres, movie theatres and event spaces will be permitted to reopen. Stage 3 also eases some restrictions in place for businesses that opened during previous stages. For example, with proper safety measures in place restaurants will be able to offer indoor dining and spas will be able to offer additional personal care services.
While nearly all businesses will be allowed to reopen as part of Stage 3, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, public health experts and other officials have advised some high-risk places and activities are not yet safe to reopen, even if within a region entering Stage 3.
The following places and activities have been deemed high risk due to the likelihood of large crowds congregating, difficulties with physical distancing, or challenges maintaining the proper cleaning and sanitation required to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
Amusement parks and water parks
Buffet-style food services
Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment who follow specific requirements
Overnight stays at camps for children
Private karaoke rooms
Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports
Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars
Table games at casinos and gaming establishments
The Ontario Government is committed to working with businesses and sectors that are either not able to reopen in Stage 3, or who are experiencing significant challenges opening within the restrictions.
As part of the Stage 3 reopening, Ontario will also be increasing gathering limits in Niagara Falls, subject to physical distancing requirements:
Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people
Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people
Gathering limits are subject to physical distancing requirements. Public gathering limits apply to indoor and outdoor events, such as community events or gatherings, concerts, live shows, festivals, conferences, sports and recreational fitness activities, fundraisers, fairs, festivals or open houses. A two metre distance must still be maintained at such events.
Resources to Prepare for Stage 3
To help businesses prepare for Stage 3, the province, in partnership with health and safety associations, has released more than 170 health and safety guidance documentsto help employers in multiple sectors.
The government also offers information to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including tip sheets, workplace posters and more at Ontario.ca/COVIDsafety.
Niagara Regional Council adopts mandatory mask by-law to combat the spread COVID-19
On July 23, 2020, as part of their efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, Niagara Regional Council approved a by-law making it mandatory to wear a face covering or non-medical mask in enclosed public places.
The by-law comes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 31, 2020 and will remain into effect until Oct. 1, 2020 unless extended by Regional Council.
The by-law applies to the following enclosed indoor places:
Retail stores where goods and services are sold to customers
Businesses that primarily sell food including restaurants
Supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries and convenience stores
Churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and other places of worship, except during a religious rite or ceremony that is incompatible with the face being covered
Shopping malls or similar structures which contain multiple places of business
Lobby areas of commercial buildings
Common areas of hotels and motels and other short term accommodations, such as lobbies, elevators, meeting rooms or other common use facilities but does not include the common areas of residential apartment buildings or condominiums
Laundromats
Concert venues, theatres and cinemas
Fitness centres, gyms, other recreational and sports facilities and clubhouses
Arcades and other amusement facilities
Premises utilized as an open house, presentation centres or other facility for real-estate purposes
Museums, galleries, historic sites and similar attractions
Businesses providing personal care services
Banquet halls, convention centres, arenas, stadiums and other event spaces
Public transit operated by the Niagara Region and local area municipalities
Municipal buildings
When it comes to children, every child that is five years old or older will be required to wear a mask.
Under the by-law, all businesses operating in Niagara must have a policy regarding the wearing of face coverings that prevent persons from entering without a mask. Additionally, businesses must ensure that staff receive training in the requirements of the policy and provide hand sanitizer at all public entrances.
Exemptions
As some individuals may be unable to wear a mask, the Niagara Region is asking residents to be supportive to others in our community who may be exempt and remind residents that every person’s situation is different. For those who are unable to wear a mask, the by-law does not require those individuals to disclose the reason for the exemption.
The by-law also makes exemptions for indoor locations that would already have their own policies, or would be subject to other provincial legislation or guidelines:
Day cares, schools, post-secondary institutions and other facilities used solely for educational purposes
Hospitals, independent health facilities and offices of regulated health professionals
Buildings and services owned or operated by the Province of Ontario or the Federal Government of Canada
An indoor area of a building that is accessible only to employees
Portions of buildings that are being used for the purpose of providing day camps for children or for the training of amateur or professional athletes
If residents or businesses have any questions or concerns regarding this by-law, more information is available by visiting niagararegion.ca/covid19.
COVID-19 Updates to City Services
City Hall and the Gale Centre have re-opened by appointment/booking only. The Niagara Falls History Museum has opened with a new schedule and the Niagara Falls Farmers' Market is open every Saturday morning at its new, temporary location. As part of our ongoing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, and in keeping with the Province of Ontario’s guidelines, all other City facilities including the MacBain Community Centre remain closed to the public until further notice.
FAQ on City Services during COVID-19
We encourage residents to visit our COVID-19 FAQ website, updated daily, providing detailed information on City services during this time.
Follow us on Social Media
Residents are also encouraged to follow the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to stay up-to-date on City services during COVID-19.
Made in Niagara Business Face Shields
Bobby Slack from Bicknell Racing Products literally started the Covid race by manufacturing face shields for medical professionals in partnership with many other local businesses. Together their donations assisted with covering the costs to create a total of 1250 Face Shields that have been donated locally.
Peglow Tool & Die Inc. is a Niagara Falls manufacturing family owned/operated business that partnered with Bicknell Racing Products. As a full-service machine shop offer Tooling, Stamping Dies, Plastic injection Moulding, Mould Making and other CMM Services. Stephen Peglow was contacted by Slack and formed a greater supplier connection for the plastic injection headband for the masks.
This webinar is set for Wendesday, July 29 at 11 a.m. and offers valuable economic insight presented by Export Development Canada’s Deputy Chief Economist as well as useful tips and best practices from two experienced customs officers from the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to aid in getting your goods to into the United States of America as smoothly as possible.
The end of the presentation will have an interactive Q&A session where our experts will be happy to answer any questions provided with time permitted.
Niagara Falls 'Summer of the Patio'
Visitor Guide Launch
If you are one of the many restaurants in Niagara Falls who has an existing patio, or has created a new outdoor patio space to continue serving your customers during the COVID-19 crisis, sign up for our new ‘Summer of the Patio’ Visitor Guide.
Let people know that your PATIO IS OPEN by sharing details on: health and safety protocols, modified hours and reservation information to continue operating in a safe and convenient way.
Please note - If you previously registered your business on our Buy Local business directory and have a patio, we have automatically added you to our new patio site.
Submit your business today and reach out to your customers! It’s free!
Queen Street Restaurant Week
Taking place from August 1st to 10th. Enjoy specials from your favourite bars and restaurants right here on Queen!
Introducing Video Production
by Business Link Media Group
With the growth of social media and the incoming 5G technology, digital marketing is changing the rules of engagement for marketing and advertisement. You need more efficient materials and more engaging channels to make your audiences aware of your products and services. To achieve that, you need visual contents to present your business.
Business Link Media is here to bring your vision to life, with an experienced team that produces state-of-the-art video contents in the following categories
Corporate videos
Social media commercials
Product videos
Event videos
Interviews
Documentaries
Animated demonstration
More importantly, in addition to providing video services, we provide digital marketing solutions.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford provides daily updates to Ontarians on measures the provincial government is taking to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Some recent highlights include:
To learn more about Ontario's response to COVID-19, visit ontario.ca
COVID-19: Federal Government
The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak. Some recent updates include:
