Update #52 West Lincoln Response to COVID-19

MEDIA RELEASE

Update #52 West Lincoln Response to COVID-19

For Immediate Release:  March 1, 2022

The Township of West Lincoln is proceeding with implementing the Provinces Next Phase of Reopening Effective March 1, 2022

Ontario has taken additional steps to ease public health measures if public health and health system indicators continue to improve. This includes lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings.

Ontario has also lifted proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.

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

To manage COVID-19 over the long-term, public health units can deploy local and regional responses based on local context and conditions.

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:

West Lincoln Community Centre

The West Lincoln Community Centre and Arena will continue to follow direction provided by the Province and Niagara Region Public Health. This includes:

Effective March 1^st at 12:01 AM in compliance with O. Regulation 364/20 Roadmap Exit Step, the West Lincoln Community Centre & Arena will no longer require proof of vaccination to enter the facility. In addition, Dr. Hirji has rescinded the Letter of Instruction to Sport Facilities removing specific measures for the Niagara Region beyond Provincial Regulations.  

The following Provincial Measures and Arena Protocols remain in place:

Upon Arrival

• Everyone shall enter the facility through the main entrance.
• All persons entering the facility must screen themselves for COVID-19 prior to entering the premises (posted at entrance or can be found online here COVID-19 Screening Tool).
• All persons over the age of 2 years old entering the West Lincoln Community Centre must wear a face covering as required under the Niagara Region by-law no. 2020 – 46 and O. Reg. 364/20.
• Maintain physical distancing and staying at least 2 meters (or 6 feet) away from others outside your household.
  • Children must be supervised by an adult at all times in the building.  

Dressing Rooms

• Dressing rooms are open.
• Capacity limits will be posted on each room’s door.  Each rental group will be responsible to ensure capacities are maintained (parents and players shall be included when maintaining capacities).
• Maintain physical distancing and staying at least 2 meters (or 6 feet) away from others outside your household.
• All persons over the age of 2 years old must wear a face covering in the dressing rooms as required under the Niagara Region by-law no. 2020 – 46 and O. Reg. 364/20
• Please collect all of your belongings and discard any garbage in appropriate bins, ensuring that nothing is left behind.
• Please be advised of the zero alcohol policy in the dressing rooms.
• Dressing rooms will be cleaned after each rental.

Exiting the Facility

• All ice participants, coaches and referees shall exit the West Lincoln Community Centre through the door at the rear of the facility.
• All spectators shall exit through the stairwell in the seating area.

West Lincoln Public Library

Township Administration Building

The Township Administration building is open to the public via doorbell access only. Township staff remains available to serve the public online and over-the-phone, as well.

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

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

Quotes:

“Thinking back to 2020, we began this ordeal with the requirements to wash our hands thoroughly, stay a safe distance apart and to wear a mask to protect ourselves and others from a world-wide virus. Over the last two years, many layers have been added by both the Provincial Government and Public Health.  Today, as those “layers” are carefully being peeled back, we are no longer required to show proof of vaccination status and capacity limits have been lifted, however we are still required to wash our hands carefully, remain a safe distance from others and to wear a mask!

Although we do need to move forward, we should not be in too big a hurry and risk sliding backwards! We can do this for a little bit longer, West Lincoln! There is definitely light at the end of the “covid” tunnel!”

“Like everyone else we are excited to move to this next stage of re-opening, but we are also cautious and will ensure that our staff and community are protected.”