In Today's Update
- Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- Ontario's New Restrictions
- TIAO Calls Tuesday Oct 6th
- NORP Applications Now Open!
- RRRF Funding Update
- Free Electronic Waivers
We will continue to strive to bring forward pertinent information to the tourism industry as it becomes available. We will also do our best to find answers to your questions. Do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.
NOTO Contact Emails:
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Message from NOTO's Executive Director
Laurie Marcil
Hello Everyone,
As you may have heard or will learn from reading this newsletter, both Provincial and Federal Governments made funding announcements last week. While these are not the financial stimulus package that many of you have been seeking, they are programs that can help to support your business through these troubling times.
We recommend that whether your business has been able to open or not this season, business owners take a look at the NORP to cover costs of adjusting your businesses to deal with COVID through enhanced public safety regulations. If you have not been open yet it is quite apparent that these regulations will be here for next season (at minimum). I would encourage you to review the COVID-19 Best Practices & Protocols and consider what modifications you may need to make at your facilities and take advantage of this program while it remains available.
The RRRF program offered to businesses in Northern Ontario through FedNor has more money now. Our understanding is that businesses that have suffered losses and have not been able to get support or enough support through other Federal programs offered can apply to this fund. We are seeking clarity on whether they have changed the eligibility criteria and a number of other pieces of this program and will share the responses we get as soon as we have them.
For both of these programs we highly recommend that you contact those agents on the ground as listed in links provided below to get help to complete your applications. They are there to help you.
I also want to let all of you know that while these programs are another step in the right direction, we know that for some businesses it may still not be enough. NOTO will continue pressing for more non-repayable financial support. We are here for you. We welcome your thoughts, suggestions and feedback at any time.
Be well,
Laurie
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Ontario Implements Further Restrictions & New Measures for Testing
New restrictions were adopted through the amended order O. Reg 364/20 (Rules for Areas in Stage 3 under the Reopening Ontario [A Flexible Response to COVID-19] Act, 2020), effective October 3rd at 12:01am. They include:
- Mandating the use of face coverings in all public indoor settings across the province such as businesses, facilities and workplaces.
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Extending the pause on any further reopening of businesses, facilities, and organizations for an additional 28 days, unless already permitted to open under O. Reg 364/20;
- Pausing social circles and advising that all Ontarians allow close contact only with people living in their own household and maintain two metres physical distancing from everyone else.
Targeted measures will also be implemented in Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto as a result of their higher than average rates of transmission. These include:
- Setting an indoor capacity limit to restrict occupancy at restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (including nightclubs) to allow for physical distancing of at least 2 meters from every other patron, to a maximum of 100 patrons.
- Permitting no more than six patrons per table, requiring operators to ensure patrons lining up or congregating outside of their establishment maintain physical distancing, and mandating that the name and contact information for each patron be collected;
- Restricting group exercise classes at gyms and other fitness settings to 10 individuals, as well as restricting the total number of people allowed at these facilities to a maximum of 50; and
- Setting a limit on the number of people allowed at meeting and event facilities, including banquet halls, to six people per table and 50 people per facility.
The government is:
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Transitioning to appointment-based testing at Ontario assessment centres beginning Tuesday, October 6, 2020, providing certainty to patients as to when they can receive a test during the cold winter months and allowing assessment centres to conduct enhanced screening to ensure adherence to the guidelines released on September 24, 2020;
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Beginning on Sunday, October 4, 2020, assessment centres will discontinue walk-in testing services, so the province's lab network can make significant progress in processing tests and to allow assessment centres the necessary time to reset, deep clean and ensure preparedness for the new appointment-based model;
- Continuing mobile testing and pop-up testing centres to reach vulnerable populations and provide targeted testing for long-term care, congregate care, and other vulnerable populations;
- Expanding the number of pharmacies where people with no symptoms within provincial testing guidance can get tested; and
- Implementing updated testing guidance for children to help parents determine when it is most appropriate for students, children and their families to seek a test for COVID-19.
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TIAO Calls This Week Tuesday October 6
COVID-19 Northern Ontario Tourism Industry Update
Call Time: 10:00 am
Access Code: 164-905-029
Dial in: +1 (647) 497-9373
COVID-19 Tourism Industry Update Meeting
Time: 1:00 pm
Access Code: 459-068-733
Dial in: +1 (647) 497-9373
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Applications for the Northern Ontario Recovery Program Now Open!
The Northern Ontario Recovery Program application is now open! Companies can apply to NORP for assistance with projects that help them adjust to the impacts of COVID-19, such as, but not limited to:
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Building renovations and new constructions (dining room/common area expansions, patio expansions, renovating cabins, expanding docks - think of social distancing measures and areas that could use more space)
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Customer and employee safety installations (sanitization stations, signage, HVAC units, installation of plexiglass, installation of windows in rooms that have none for increased ventilation - think of public health measures)
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Equipment purchases, including personal protective equipment (PPE, tap payment systems, plexiglass barriers, HVAC system)
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Marketing for new business initiatives (building a domestic marketing campaign, accessing new markets, website updates, etc.)
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Restructuring of business operations (online sales, upgrading/installing an online booking system, touchless/paperless check-in & payment options)
Applications will be open from October 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) administering the new program.
To be eligible for this program, you must own a business in Northern Ontario with at least one year of operations as of March 17th, 2020 and was impacted by the Province of Ontario's Emergency Order that closed all non-essential businesses on March 24th, 2020. Businesses must provide evidence that supports a loss of revenue or an increase in expenses which were directly attributed to the Province's Emergency Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. mandatory closures, enhanced health and safety protocols, service restrictions, etc.). Eligible costs will be those incurred and paid for after March 17th, 2020.
Businesses who qualify for the NORP may receive up to $25,000 in grants. NOHFC will cover 100% of eligible project costs. Applicants must demonstrate that the amount requested from NOHFC is incremental and does not duplicate other supports received. For more information, visit the NOHFC website by clicking on the button below.
We encourage all tourism businesses to work with their Regional Economic Development Branch for assistance with applications. They are available to answer questions and support you through the application process. You can find your local contact at the following link:
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RRRF Funding Update
Minister Joly announced an additional $22.3 million for FedNor to help businesses and organization in Northern Ontario recover from the impacts of COVID-19. $6 million from this additional funding will be provided to the region's Community Futures Development Corporations to target businesses in rural communities.
Businesses and organizations in Northern Ontario that have applied for, but were unable to get access to sufficient relief from other federal COVID-19 programs, are encouraged to review RRRF eligibility requirements or to contact FedNor for more information.
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Free Electronic Waivers to Help Protect Canadian Operators
As the tourism industry reopens, operators are having to adapt their offering to comply with new rules and regulations. A massive part of this change is getting your guests to sign in when they arrive, so you can keep track of who is on site, and be able to alert your customers quickly if they’ve come into contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19. The issue is, paper needs to be printed, handed out, collected, filed, and stored for a minimum of 7 years.
Electronic Waivers
Wherewolf is offering tour and activity operators a completely free electronic waiver solution with
no contracts or commitments. Our contactless waiver will help you maintain social distancing by
prompting your customers to fill in their waiver forms from their own devices. This can be done
in advance by sending them a link like this, on-site by scanning a unique QR code, or by using a device you provide - but always paperless.
The result is a safe, simple, and professional experience for your guests, and an easy way for
you and your staff to manage your clients.
Legal
On a federal level, electronic signatures have been around since 2000 with the introduction of
recognizes an electronic signature to be as valid as a physical one and is similarly admissible in
the court of law. On a provincial level, e-signature law is protected by the Uniform Electronic
There is no time limit on the offer, so feel free to sign up and use free waivers for as long as you
like.
Why are we doing this? Wherewolf is the global leader in electronic waiver solutions taking care
of over 4.2 million check-ins a year in over 26 countries around the world. We want to give back
so the tourism industry can get back on its feet and move forward.
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NOTO's COVID-19 Page
This page was created to keep you informed on the latest developments that may impact/help your businesses. This page features links to our COVID-19 newsletters, Government resources, information that may be useful to tourism operators and links to supports for tourism operators as they become available. This page will be updated regularly during this pandemic.There are FAQ's with answers and tips from NOTO. FAQs will be regularly updated as well.
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Federal & Provincial Government Information
The Ontario and Federal Governments are regularly updating COVID-19 information, travel information, Minister statements, Government initiatives and statistics on their websites. For additional information from the Ontario or Federal Government, please click on the buttons below.
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NOTO is a membership based organization that works hard to support the outdoor tourism industry through advocacy and information services. We do not receive Government funding for operating and rely on annual memberships from tourism businesses, organizations, product and service suppliers, and partners. For more information about membership with NOTO visit noto.ca
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