The Listowel BIA
e-Newsletter
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We wanted to send out a quick newsletter on a few Covid related announcements that impact businesses as well as other updates including holiday season plans. We are starting our holiday season with a Deck the Halls Open House the weekend of November 25-27, 2021. We encourage you to participate. See more details at the bottom of our newsletter.
Our Coordinator continues to primarily work from her home office but is available by appointment, via email at lschaefer@northperth.ca or by phone at 519-444-8233. Please reach out to us at anytime.
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Covid Vaccine Passports
The proof of vaccination rules are for patrons only, not staff. Businesses can implement their own proof of vaccination policy if not covered by these regulations, but need to seek their own legal advice. Additionally, other public health and workplace safety measures will still apply, including masking, screening, and track and trace.
In order to be considered ‘fully vaccinated,’ patrons must have received:
- The full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada
- Health Canada-authorized COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson
- A combination of doses of COVID-19 vaccines authorized by Health Canada
- One dose of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine plus one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine not approved by Health Canada
- 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada
- PLUS 14 days elapsed since the 2nd dose by the time proof of vaccination provided
Providing Proof of Vaccination
- Proof of vaccination can be shown on paper or on mobile device (e.g., PDF)
- Accepted ID does not need to be photo ID – only requires name & DOB (information must match proof of vaccination document)
- Accepted forms of ID: birth certificate, citizenship card, driver's licence, government-issued ID card, including health card, Indian status card/indigenous membership card, passport and permanent resident card
- The patron must provide proof of being fully vaccinated and proof of ID at the point of entry to the required setting
- Patrons cannot pre-display or upload proof of vaccination
- The business or organization must review and confirm proof of ID and vaccination – they are responsible for ensuring they meet the requirements to check for proof of vaccination and ID from patrons
- The patron seeking entry is solely responsible for demonstrating that they are legitimate holders of the vaccination receipt
- Patrons are not allowed to enter a business or organization if the name and DOB on both documents do not match
Below is a list of the businesses and organizations in which proof of vaccination will be required:
- Indoor areas of commercial film & TV productions w/ studio audiences (NEW)
- Indoor areas of waterparks (NEW)
- Indoor areas of concert venues, theatres, cinemas
- Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, other food & drink establishments (excluding outdoor patios & takeout)
- Indoor food service/food courts (e,g., café at costco)
- Indoor AND outdoor areas of food & drink establishments with dance facilities (e.g., nightclubs, restoclubs; excluding takeout)
- Indoor areas of horse racing tracks, car racing tracks, & other similar venues
- Indoor areas where spectators watch sporting events
- Indoor areas of casinos, bingo halls, other gaming establishments
- Indoor areas of facilities for sports & recreational fitness activities, including personal fitness training
- Indoor meeting & event spaces (e.g., banquet halls, conference/convention centres)
Proof of Vaccination Exemption:
- Children under 12
- Patrons under 18 entering the indoor premises of a sports and recreational facility in order to participate in an organized sport ONLY
- Patrons with a medical exemption (must present ID AND written document) – must have written documentation from a doctor or nurse stating they are exempt for a medical reason from COVID-19 vaccination
- At weddings, funerals, rites, and ceremonies you do not need to show proof of vaccination if:
- The service is held in a meeting or event space and you are attending the wedding funeral, rite, or ceremony but not the social gathering (e.g., reception)
- The associated social gathering is held in a business licensed under the Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act
Enforcement of Proof of Vaccination:
- All provincial offence officers: by-law, police, public health inspectors, regulatory officers from ministries & agencies can enforce proof of vaccination
- Non-compliance by individuals and business can result in charges & fines
- Provincial offence officers may take a measured approach to enforcing orders that balance public safety, health, & other risks businesses owners are managing
- Starting this week, officers are visiting businesses and organizations to raise awareness of new proof of vaccination requirements
- The government will also provide information on tools and resources to help businesses and organizations implement the necessary COVID-19 safety plan measures – e.g., workplace violence & harassment measures
- In the event of harassment or threats of violence, contact law enforcement
All Ontarians can print or download their vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal. The Ministry is working on additional supports and services to assist Ontario residents who need help obtaining proof of vaccination, including requesting a copy be sent by mail. Those who need support obtaining a copy of their vaccination receipt including those who do not have access to a computer or printer can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
Ontario is developing an enhanced vaccine certificate with a unique QR code to make it safer, more secure and convenient to show that you have been vaccinated, when required to do so. The enhanced vaccine certificate and verification app will be available by October 22, 2021. Ontario’s proof of vaccination guidance will be updated to reflect the new processes.
More information on the vaccine certificate, as well as a Q&Q document can be found below:
Ontario Screening Guidance Updates
Ontario has removed symptoms from their COVID-19 screening guidance as well as updated screening questions considering those vaccinated.
Ontario has trimmed down the COVID-19 symptoms that would require children to stay home from school or daycare, dropping runny noses, sore throats, muscle aches and headaches from the list. The province’s updated online screening tool lists five categories of symptoms “most commonly associated with COVID-19.” Those are fever and chills, cough or barking cough, shortness of breath, losing taste or smell and nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Some symptoms were also removed for people over age 18 taking the questionnaire. Removed symptoms for that age group include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, runny nose, sore throat, congestion, headache, stomach pain, pink eye and falling down often.
You can find more information HERE.
You can find COVID-19 worker and employee screening HERE.
You can find a self assessment HERE.
You can find school and child care screening HERE.
Ontario Announces the Extension of the COVID-19 Period to January 1, 2022
The Ontario government made a regulation that changed certain Employment Standards Act (ESA) rules during the “COVID-19 period.” This regulation has been amended to extend the COVID-19 period to January 1, 2022.
During the COVID-19 period (March 1, 2020 to January 1, 2022):
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A non-unionized employee whose employer has temporarily reduced or temporarily eliminated their hours of work for reasons related to COVID-19 is deemed to be on a job-protected infectious disease emergency leave under the ESA.
- A non-unionized employee is not considered to be laid off under the ESA if their employer temporarily reduces or temporarily eliminates their hours of work or wages for reasons related to COVID-19.
- A non-unionized employee is not considered to be constructively dismissed under the ESA if their employer temporarily reduces or temporarily eliminates their hours of work or wages for reasons related to COVID-19.
For more information about employers’ responsibilities and job protections available to employees, visit Ontario.ca/COVID.
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Rapid Test Screening Available at the North Perth Chamber of Commerce!!!
The North Perth Chamber of Commerce continues to be a distributer of rapid test kits for our businesses.
Details include:
- FREE for all businesses in North Perth with less than 150 employees!
- Pick up kits (by appointment only) at the Chamber office
- Asymptomatic employees test themselves twice per week
- Get results in 15 minutes!
- Those who test positive or inconclusive must go for a lab-based PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test at a local site
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Deck the Halls - November 25 to 27
We are planning to kick start the holiday season and the busy December shopping month with a holiday weekend on November 25 to 27, 2021. We want you to be a part of this weekend. We will be advertising all that Listowel has to offer. We encourage you to open your doors this weekend with promotions and holiday sales. Please tag us on your posts so we can share with our community!
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Coming Up!
In addition to above, we are getting ready for the busy holiday season. This includes:
- Holiday decorations starting to go up November 12
- A resident decorating contest
- A business decorating contest
- A selfie photo contest
- A Deck the Halls Weekend (November 25 to 27)
- A shop dollar promotion
- Support to community events such as the North Perth Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus Parade
- Advertising on the radio, social media, the Chamber sign, the local paper, our website and more!
We are also preparing our marketing plan and budget for 2022. Have a great idea or want to discuss what we are doing? Reach out to us HERE.
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Province Launches New Modern Ontario Business Registry
The new Ontario Business Registry will be launched on October 19, making it easier, simpler, and more affordable for millions of businesses and not-for-profit corporations to interact with the government.
Businesses will now be able to complete over 90 transactions through the new online registry, including registering a new business and dissolving an existing one. Registrations or filings that were previously submitted by mail or fax, taking four to six weeks to complete, can now be done instantly through the online registry. When online transactions are completed, users will receive automatic email notices with electronic attachments instead of paper documents. The migration of annual return filings that were previously completed through the Canada Revenue Agency will be available through the Ontario Business Registry, allowing businesses to keep all their important filings in one place.
Along with the launch of the Ontario Business Registry, the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 will come into force on October 19, which will provide a modern legislative framework for Ontario’s not-for-profit corporations. The legislation will significantly reduce the bureaucratic burden on not-for-profit corporations, moving from paper-based filings to digital services and providing them with enhanced flexibility. For the first time ever, Ontario not-for-profit corporations will be able to access an online government system for registrations and filings, saving them time and reducing duplication of paperwork. Features like pre-defined text will help users move along error-free and reduce legal costs.
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Please reach out to us if you have any questions, comments, or require assistance. We will continue to promote supporting local during this time through various channels including social media, radio and print.
You can reach Lisa Schaefer, Coordinator, by email at lschaefer@northperth.ca or by phone at 519-444-8233.
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©Municipality of North Perth, 330 Wallace Ave. N., Listowel ON N4W 1L3
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