Update #51 West Lincoln is Proceeding & Implementing the Provinces next Phase of Reopening

Update #51 West Lincoln Response to COVID-19

For Immediate Release: February 18, 2022                                               

The Township of West Lincoln is proceeding with implementing the Provinces Next Phase of Reopening 

Effective February 17, 2022, Ontario will further ease public health measures, including, but not limited to:

• Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
• Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
• Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
• Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
• Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
• Cinemas
• Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
• Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.
• Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
• Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
• Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
• Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.

Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.

In addition, as of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, Ontario is expanding booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months (168 days) after a second dose. To book an appointment online, individuals must be 12 years old at the time of appointment.

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 continue to follow direction provided by the Province and Niagara Region Public Health. This includes:

• 50% spectator seating capacity
• Change room occupancy limits
• Entry to change rooms no more than 15 minutes prior to the event
• Vacate the change rooms within 15 minutes following the event
• Masking requirements remain in effect
• Proof of vaccination by QR code and ID for all patrons 12 and over until March 1, 2022

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

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.

Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date.

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

Quotes:

 " I am happy, as are many of you I am sure, to see this move toward the opening of our facilities and our local businesses. Just a reminder however that masking and vaccination requirements are still necessary for the next while, so please be kind to those who are still required to ask for your compliance. "

 “ As we open up in line with provincial regulations and public health guidance, we will focus on ways that we can continue to keep the community, staff and Council safe”.