In this challenging and constantly changing business environment, the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce want to support our Members by providing relevant and up-to-date information. This includes government announcements and support programs, resources, webinars, surveys, and other important updates.

This is a collaborative email to share information that applies to our memberships at large, sent on behalf of the Grimsby Chamber, Lincoln Chamber, and West Lincoln Chamber.
Ontario Moves to Step One of its Reopening Plan on June 11
Based on the provincewide vaccination rate and continuing improvements in key public health and health system indicators, Ontario will move to Step One of its reopening plan at 12:01 AM on Friday, June 11 - three days sooner than originally planned.

“Thanks to the ongoing success of Team Ontario’s vaccine rollout and the ongoing improvements in public health trends, we are able to enter step one of the Roadmap and begin to safely and cautiously lift restrictions,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The only reason we’re able to do so is because of the enormous sacrifices made by individuals, families, and communities across Ontario. As we begin to enjoy the benefits of the first step in our roadmap like meeting friends on a patio or visiting your favourite local store, please do so safely by continuing to follow all public health guidelines.”

Step One of the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of more outdoor activities with smaller crowds. It will also permit more limited indoor settings to be open, all with restrictions in place.
What activities are included in Step One?
Step One of Ontario's Reopening Plan includes, but is not limited to:
  • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people
  • Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres
  • Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted at up to 15 percent capacity of the particular room
  • Non-essential retail permitted at 15 percent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold
  • Essential and other select retail permitted at 25 percent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold
  • Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households
  • Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training, and outdoor individual/team sports training to be permitted with up to 10 people, among other restrictions
  • Day camps for children permitted to operate in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks, and short-term rentals
  • Concert venues, theatres, and cinemas may open outdoors for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance, or other performance with no more than 10 performers, among other restrictions
  • Outdoor horse racing tracks and motor speedways permitted to operate without spectators
  • Outdoor attractions such as zoos, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens with capacity, and other restrictions
  • In addition, to support students who have worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic, the government is enabling school boards for public and private elementary and high schools to invite students back for a brief outdoor end-of-year celebration. Any in-person school year celebrations will need to meet specific requirements.
What happens after Step One?
The province will remain in Step One for at least 21 days to evaluate any impacts on key public health and health system indicators. If at the end of the 21 days the province has vaccinated 70 percent of adults with one dose and 20 percent of adults with two doses, and there are continued improvements in other key public health and health system indicators, the province will move to Step Two of the Roadmap.
The West Niagara Chambers of Commerce echo Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams' statement:

  • “While we have reached the point where we can safely move into Step One, now is not the time to get complacent. We must all remain vigilant, as the fight against COVID-19 is not over. By continuing to follow public health advice and measures we can continue to reduce transmission, safeguard health system capacity and save lives.”
A Note from the Niagara Region

Section 22 orders will still apply with Step One of Reopening on Friday.

The Region will continue to evaluate its ongoing need as the province proceeds through reopening.
Business owners and operators can contact the COVID-19 infoline for questions related to the Section 22 class order 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 by email.
Rapid Screening Program
To support our business communities’ efforts to reopen safely, the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce are rolling out the Rapid Screening program.

Keep your eye out for an email that will be sent tomorrow with details on how you can schedule your Rapid Screening kit pick-up later this week.
Contact Your Local Chamber
Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director
Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director
West Lincoln
Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director
This email was sent by on behalf of the West Niagara Chambers of Commerce, which consists of the Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and the West Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. You have received this email because you subscribed to our newsletters; your email address will not be shared and will be used only for these updates.
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Please contact your local Chamber if you have any questions or concerns.