Residents and visitors accessing the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre, Meridian Credit Union and Centennial Arenas are required to show identification -- e.g., Birth certificate, Citizenship card, Driver’s licence, Government-issued identification card (including health card), Indian Status Card/Indigenous Membership Card, passport, Permanent Resident card -- plus proof of a complete series of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, or a combination of approved vaccines, received at least 14 days before arrival at the facility.

Exemptions from the requirement with respect to patrons include:

• Individuals who are medically exempt from the vaccine. Those individuals will be permitted entry with a physician’s note until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate;
• Children who are under 12 years of age;
• Individuals under 18 years of age who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreation activities for the sole purpose of participating in an organized sport within a facility; and,
• Individuals entering an indoor area solely to use the restroom facilities.

Screening and other Public Health recommendations remain in place.

Yes. Individuals entering all Town facilities are required to complete a screening.

Visitors accessing the Niagara-on-the-Lake Library will not be required to provide proof of vaccination, based on current Provincial regulations.

Visitors visiting Sweets and Swirls Café must provide proof of vaccination for dine-in services. However, proof of vaccination is not required if individuals are accessing the facility solely to place or pick up an order from the Café.

Yes. Photocopies of identifications are currently being accepted.

Individuals who are coaching, volunteering, or instructing within a Town facility are currently exempt from providing proof of vaccination. This exemption, while not outlined in Provincial Regulation (O. Reg 364/20), is noted in the Provincial Proof of Vaccination Guiding Document. Town Staff is seeking clarification on this discrepancy and, until such clarification is provided, will not require coaches, volunteers, or instructors to provide proof of vaccination. Therefore, please be advised that this exemption is subject to change.

Child care providers, within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, for non school-aged children are open with enhanced health and safety measures. 

Yes. Day camps remain permitted to open, provided that they are operated in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 for day camps produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Yes. Outdoor pools, splash pads, spray pads, whirlpools, wading pools, and water slides are permitted to operate with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres while adhering to all other health and safety guidelines.

Outdoor recreational amenities are permitted to open with restrictions in place. The following Town-owned outdoor recreational amenities are open:

• Parks and recreational areas, including benches and picnic tables
• Baseball diamonds, soccer and sports fields, basketball courts
• Tennis and pickleball courts
• Skate park
• Splash Pad
• Pools
• Wading Pool
• Tracks, trails and green spaces
• Playgrounds
• Public Washrooms

Any person who enters or uses an outdoor recreational amenity must maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from any other person who is using the amenity.

Please note that Town outdoor recreational amenities are not being sanitized. Use of opened outdoor amenities must be done in compliance with all Provincial Orders and advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the premises of the establishment.

Yes. Singles and doubles play is permitted for tennis and pickleball with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres while adhering to all other health and safety guidelines.

The Acting Medical Officer of Health for Niagara Region recommends the wearing of masks if doubles partners do not reside in the same household.

Yes. Golf courses and driving ranges are permitted to reopen with additional safety restrictions, including physical distancing of 2 metres.

Yes. Indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness facilities are permitted to operate subject to a number of restrictions, including:

• Indoor facilities: The total number of members of the public permitted to be in the facility at any one time must be limited to 50 per cent of the capacity of the facility.
• Indoor spectators: Capacity for indoor spectators is 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less.
  • Every indoor spectator must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin (exceptions apply).
• Outdoor spectators: Capacity for outdoor spectators is 75 per cent of the usual outdoor seating capacity, or 15,000 persons, whichever is less.
  • Every outdoor spectator must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin (exceptions apply) unless seated with members of their own household only, and every other member of the household is seated at least 2 metres from every person outside their household.

Yes. Step Three permits all essential and non-essential retail establishments to reopen, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres.

*Please see additional restrictions for retail establishments outlined below, as issued in the Class Order under Section 22, in effect for the Niagara Region.

Yes. Restaurants bars, food trucks, concession stands, and other food or drink establishments are permitted to reopen for outdoor and indoor dining with the following restrictions:

• The total number of patrons permitted to be seated at the establishment, whether indoors or outdoors, must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from every other person at the establishment.
• The establishment must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by a distance of at least 2 metres, or plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
• The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.
• The person responsible for the establishment must actively screen any dine-in patrons in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the establishment.
• The person responsible for the establishment must record the name and contact information of every patron that enters an area of the establishment, unless the patron temporarily enters the area to place, pick up or pay for a takeout order, maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.
• No patron shall dance at the establishment.

*Please see additional restrictions for food and drink premises outlined below, as issued in the Class Order under Section 22, in effect for the Niagara Region.

Yes. Personal care services relating to the hair or body, including hair salons and barbershops, manicure and pedicure salons, aesthetician services, piercing services, tanning salons, spas and tattoo studios, are permitted to open, with restrictions. 

Yes. Businesses that provide pet services, including pet grooming services, pet sitting services, pet walking services and pet training services, including services for the training and provision of service animals are permitted to open.

Yes. Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, are permitted where the number of persons attending the gathering is limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from every other person in the space where the gathering is held.

If held in a building or structure other than a private dwelling, indoor religious services, rites and ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, are permitted providing that the number of persons occupying any room in the building or structure while attending the gathering is limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from every other person in the room.

All persons attending the gathering must comply with public health guidance on physical distancing.

Social gatherings associated with these services, such as receptions, are permitted with a maximum of no more than 25 people if the event is held indoors or 100 people if the event is held outdoors.

Drive-in services, rites or ceremonies are permitted, subject to certain conditions.

Yes. Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open if they comply with the following conditions:

• The number of members of the public at an outdoor seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity for the concert venue, theatre or cinema, or 15,000 persons, whichever is less.
• The number of members of the public in the outdoor area of the concert, event, performance or movie at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity of the concert venue, theatre or cinema, or 5,000 persons, whichever is less.
• The number of members of the public at an indoor seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema at any one time must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity for the concert venue, theatre or cinema, or 1,000 persons, whichever is less.
• The number of members of the public permitted to be in a particular room in the indoor portion of the seated concert, event, performance or movie at any one time must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity of the room in the concert venue, theatre or cinema, and the total capacity for the particular room cannot be added to increase the total capacity of the concert venue, theatre, or cinema.
• Every member of the public who is outdoors at a concert, event, performance or movie must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin (exceptions apply) or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least 2 metres from every person outside their household.
• No member of the public may attend a seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema unless they have made a reservation to do so.
• The person responsible for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the concert venue, theatre or cinema is permitted to operate and the capacity limits of any seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema.

Yes. Short term rental accommodations and hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other shared rental accommodations, including student residences, may reopen with the following restriction:

• Any indoor fitness centres or other indoor recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses must be in compliance with capacity limits, mask wearing and physical distancing requirements outlined above.

Step Three permits outdoor social gatherings and organized public events to a maximum of 100 people. Indoor social gatherings and organized public events are permitted with a limit of no more than 25 people.

In all instances, all persons attending the gathering must comply with advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health including physical distancing of 2 metres.

Yes. With respect to a gathering of members of a single household, one other person from outside that household is permitted provided they live alone.

Yes. Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks, is permitted.

All persons responsible for facilities and open businesses must operate in full compliance with the requirements of O. Reg. 364/20, including but not limited to:

• Screen employees (you may use the COVID-19 screening tool).
• Post signs at all entrances informing people how to screen themselves for COVID-19 before entering (see COVID-19 Signage Questions for Businesses and Organizations).
• Limit capacity and post a sign identifying the limit.
• Ensure patrons maintain 2 metres physical distance.
• Make sure everyone indoors wears a mask or face covering that covers their mouth, nose and chin unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions.
• Make sure workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects their eyes, nose and mouth when they come within 2 metres of anyone who is not wearing a mask or face covering or not separated by a protective barrier.
• Clean and disinfect often-touched surfaces, such as equipment, washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms and showers frequently.
• Ensure that patrons lining up inside or outside of the business maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres and wear a mask or face covering.
• Create a safety plan, and post it in a place where workers and patrons will see it and have it available upon request.

Community members looking to report contraventions of Emergency Orders are asked to email covidcomplaints@notl.com. After-hours complaints or urgent issues can be reported by calling the Niagara Regional Police Service’s non-emergency line at 905-688-4111.

Yes. Visit the Niagara Region website for more information about NRT OnDemand Transit.

While the Town’s senior management staff is exploring options to prepare for the safe reopening of Town Hall, Town Administrative Buildings will remain closed to the public until further notice.

Town Staff remains available to serve the public online, over the phone, with arranged curbside pick-up, and by appointment. Click here for an outline to obtaining Town services. Please email info@notl.com or call 905-468-3266 if you need to arrange for curbside pickup.

Yes. In conjunction with the transition to Step Three, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre reopened at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 16, to allow for public use of the fitness area. Please note that the track is closed.

Although rentals and bookings are not yet available, plans are underway to consider how to safely allow their resumption.

The Community Centre hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Hours of operation will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

For more information about the reopening of the Community Centre, visit notl.com/faq/community-centre-reopening.

For information about the vaccine and its rollout, please visit the Niagara Region website. The Niagara Region website states that the availability of vaccine appointments changes quickly. The provincial booking system is the most up-to-date resource on availability for eligible residents.

Food and drink premises, including restaurants, bars, banquet halls, wineries or breweries, must adhere to the following:

• Gather name, one form of contact information (phone number, email address, physical address) time, table number, and attestation that the patron doesn’t suffer from any COVID-19 symptoms for every patron aged 16 or older; refuse dine-in service (indoors or outdoors) to anyone refusing to give this information; and maintain and store records in a secure manner for at least one month, to be provided of an inspector or medical officer of health upon request.
• Interactively screen employees for symptoms of COVID-19 daily and retain records for at least one month.
• Take all possible steps to keep employees 2 metres from each other and from patrons.
• Keep patrons seated whenever possible (unless the food premises have dancing facilities like a dance floor).
• Separate tables by 2 metres or utilize an impermeable barrier.
• Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer at every table and every entrance/exit, with signage encouraging its use.
• Make employees aware of any benefits or payments to which they may be entitled if they require to self-isolate.

All owners/operators of shopping malls and businesses that engage in retail sales to the public, including stores within a shopping mall, must adhere to the following:

• Actively monitor compliance with the required capacity limits set in the Reopening Ontario Act.
• Ensure that physical distancing of 2 metres is maintained between staff, patrons, and each other, at all times. (This does not apply to people from the same immediate household.)
• Actively manage all line-ups and ensure all patrons maintain two metre distancing in all queues or line-ups.
• Ensure all patrons wear a mask in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless entitled to an exception under the Reopening Ontario Act.
• Conduct daily interactive screening of all employees for symptoms of COVID-19, and retain records for at least one month.
• Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer at entrances/exits, with signage encouraging its use.
• Make employees aware of any benefits or pay to which they may be entitled if they are required to self-isolate.
• Comply with all other requirements that apply under the Reopening Ontario Act.
• Ensure all stores within the shopping mall set a maximum capacity limit consistent with any required capacity limits set in the Reopening Ontario Act, and monitor the capacity limit to ensure physical distancing of at least 2 metres is maintained.

If you have questions or concerns relating to the Class Order under Section 22, please contact the Regional COVID-19 Info line Monday to Friday from 9:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. at 905-688-8248, press 7 (toll-free at 1-888-505-6074) or email inspects@niagararegion.ca.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre, located at 14 Anderson Lane, is Niagara-on-the-Lake's vaccination clinic location.

Clinic dates in Niagara-on-the-Lake are scheduled for October 15 and 25. Residents who are eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccination can book appointments for any available clinic around Niagara through the Provincial Booking System online at ontario.ca/bookvaccine or over the phone at  1-833-943-3900, or through participating pharmacies. Click here for more information about COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Niagara.

• Please plan to arrive 5 minutes before your appointment and be prepared to wait in your car or outside if you arrive earlier.
• Screen yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to leaving your home. If you're feeling unwell the day of your appointment, cancel and book a COVID-19 test.
• You may take any regular medication and eat meals as usual.
• Make sure to wear a loose-fitting top or a t-shirt.
• Dress for the weather, as you may need to wait outside.

Please remember to bring:

• Your booking appointment confirmation number or the QR booking code you received when you made your appointment.
• Your green health card. (If you don't have a green health card, bring another government-issued photo identification.)
• A mask.

Yes. Family members or caretakers are permitted to attend the clinic appointment with the eligible resident as a support person.

• Step 1: Arrival - Please don't try to line up outside or enter the clinic building more than 5 minutes before your appointment. You will be asked to return to your car or wait outside if you arrive earlier.
• Step 2: Screening - Five minutes before your appointment, you can go to the entrance of the clinic building to be screened for COVID-19.
• Step 3: Appointment confirmation - A greeter will ask you for your booking confirmation number or QR code.
• Step 4: Check-in - You will be called to a registration desk where your green health card will be scanned.
• Step 5: Vaccination - You will be directed to a table to get your COVID-19 vaccination
• Step 6: Waiting area - You will sit in our waiting area for 15 minutes after getting vaccinated. Sit on a chair that has papers on the seat. This means your chair has been cleaned and disinfected. Make sure the sticker you're given is visible. Don't put your coat or sweater on top of the sticker.
• Step 7: Check-out - You will receive proof of vaccination that you can take with you.

Your appointment will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

Yes. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre is equipped with ample free parking, accessible parking, a convenient drop-off area, and the facility is completely accessible.

Yes. NRT On Demand, Niagara-on-the-Lake's current public transit system, is among the operators providing free rides to and from your COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Riders must show the driver a vaccination appointment confirmation (email or other format) to board, and proof of vaccination for the return trip. This process applies to both the first and second-dose appointments.

To claim your free trips when booking on the NRT OnDemand app, use code NRTVAC1 for your first dose and code NRTVAC2 for your second dose. Your driver will need proof of your appointment when you board.

Niagara-on-the-Lake residents who are attending COVID-19 vaccination clinics in other Niagara Municipalities will be taken to a transfer point at the Outlet Mall where they can connect to the Regional Fixed Route Transit system to their final destination.

If you're taking a taxi or getting a ride with a friend or neighbour:

• Wear a mask
• Sit in the rear passenger seat
• Open the window, weather permitting

Yes. You are required to wear a mask or face covering that covers the nose, mouth, and chin with no gap in all enclosed spaces. Exemptions apply.

If you arrive earlier than 5 minutes before your appointment, you will be asked to return to your car or wait outside.

Yes. On-site washrooms will be available for use.

Yes. The Sweets & Swirls Café, located inside the Community Centre, will be open for takeout. Guests will be required to follow all Public Health hygiene and physical distancing guidelines.

Additional information regarding COVID-19 vaccination in Niagara is available at the Niagara Region website.