West Lincoln Response to COVID-19 - Gradually Easing Restrictions as of January 31, 2022

The Township of West Lincoln is proceeding with implementing the Provinces Steps to Cautiously and Gradually Ease Public Heath Measurers and GO-VAXX Bus Mobile Vaccine clinic coming to West Lincoln Community Centre on February 8, 2022

These measures include:

Effective January 31, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. Ontario will begin the process of gradually easing restrictions, while maintaining protective measures, including but not limited to:

  • Increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
  • Increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to:
    • Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;
    • Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)
    • Shopping malls;
    • Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;
    • Cinemas;
    • Meeting and event spaces;
    • Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks;
    • Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions; and
    • Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
    • Religious services, rites, or ceremonies.
  • Allowing spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues and theatres to operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.

Enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings. Effective January 4, 2022, the only acceptable form of proof of vaccination (or proof of medical or clinical trial exemption) will be the Province’s enhanced vaccination certificate QR code.

The QR code along with valid ID can be presented at the time of entry, either electronically or in paper format. The QR code will be scanned each time a patron enters the facility, as vaccination information is not being recorded or stored.

To access the QR code, log in to the Provincial online booking portal at https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca using the information on your green photo health (OHIP) card, your date of birth, and the postal code associated with your health card. To support anybody who does not have access to a computer or smart phone, Staff at West Lincoln’s Libraries are kindly available to assist with printing QR codes.

Please refer to Ontario Regulation 263/20: Rules for Areas in Step 2 for the complete list of measures and conditions that apply to certain businesses, organizations, places, and individuals.

What does this mean for our Township facilities:

The West Lincoln Community Centre and Arena will open on January 31st. The following activities will resume: 

  • Previously scheduled ice rentals
  • Skating programs (pre-school, adult and shinny)
  • Regular public skating times (Saturdays 7pm-8pm and Sundays 12:30pm-1:30pm)
  • Walking track hours (9AM-9PM Monday-Sunday)
  • Drop-in programs, with the exception of the Older Adult Social 

Please refer to the appropriate pages on the Township website for detailed information. 

All locations of the West Lincoln Public Library plan to open to in-person browsing and computer use on January 31, 2022 based on their regular schedule.  This is contingent on staffing levels and as such may change without notice. 

Visit www.westlincolnlibrary.ca for more information and to access online programs, services, and resources. 

The Township Administration building remains open to the public by appointment only. Please call 905-957-3346 in advance to make arrangements for your desired service and to schedule your visit. Township staff remains available to serve the public online and over-the-phone, as well.

Public Service Announcement: GO-VAXX Bus Mobile Vaccine clinic coming to West Lincoln Community Centre on February 8, 2022

The Township of West Lincoln is pleased to announce that the GO-VAXX Bus will be hosting a mobile clinic at the West Lincoln Community Centre.

Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Time: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: West Lincoln Community Centre- 177 West Street Smithville ON.

Eligibility: The clinic can vaccinate anyone 5+ with the mRNA vaccine, for their first or second doses and booster doses for those eligible. The clinic staff will be administering vaccines in line with the Ministry of Health guidelines.  Anyone under 30 will receive Pfizer and those 30 and older will receive Moderna.  

Walk-ins will not be accepted. Appointment bookings open at 8:00am the day before the GO-VAXX bus arrives. Book through www.ontario.ca/bookvaccine  or call 1-833-943-3900. 

Visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca for more information. 

For notifications and important updates, remember to follow the Township of West Lincoln on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TWPWestLincoln. 

Quotes: 

“I am so happy to know that as of January 31st, we will once again move forward in the re-opening process. It is important that we “get it right” by continuing to follow Public Health suggestions for maintaining our safety. Continued mask-wearing and social distancing, as well as our adherence to the numbers in our social gatherings that are deemed appropriate for both indoor and outdoor gatherings, all remain extremely important as we inch forward once again.’

Cheryl Ganann
Councillor

“Township staff are getting ready for the upcoming changes to the Provincial Regulations relating to COVID.  We are grateful for the continuous community support.”

 Bev Hendry
Chief Administrative Officer
Media Contact:
Bev Hendry, CAO
Township of West Lincoln
905.957.3346