On April 3, 2020, the Town of Grimsby joined with the Niagara Region and municipalities across the Region, to declare a state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Niagara Region, which includes Grimsby, in now in Stage 3 of the provincial re-opening framework.
The Town of Grimsby is working to gradually and safely reopen services within the Ontario government's Re-opening Framework guidelines. Working with Niagara Region Public Health and other agencies, the Corporation is putting measures in place to ensure the health and safety of Grimsby residents and staff, and to also ensure that services are restored effectively. Updates will be shared here and through social media as they become available.
Latest News
- Sept 17: Niagara Region extends Face Covering Bylaw. Further Details
- Sept 19: Ontario government announces reduction in gathering limits for private, unmonitored gatherings across Ontario. The reduced limits are: 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100). Full news release
COVID-19 Municipal FAQ
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We continue to receive questions regarding various scenarios. Please see the answers below for clarification.
| What is a State of Emergency? |
| An emergency is defined under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act as “a situation or an impending situation that constitutes a danger of major proportions that could result in serious harm to persons or substantial damage to property and that is caused by the forces of nature, a disease or other health risk, an accident or an act whether intentional or otherwise.” |
| What does declaring an emergency do? |
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Declaring an emergency together with the Niagara Region and other local municipalities underscores the critical nature of the COVID-19 situation. It further demonstrates that the Town and the Region are taking every step possible to protect residents from the Coronavirus threat. The declaration is also another way of conveying the severity of the situation to those in our communities who are ignoring the rules and regulations related to the COVID-19 emergency.
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Is there anything I should do differently during a State of Emergency?
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| Continue to follow direction from public heath authorities such as Niagara Region Public Health and Public Health Ontario. Public Health information is available at the bottom of this page. |
| How many cases of COVID-19 are in Niagara? |
| Visit Niagara Region Public Health's Statistics Page for current regional case information. |
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Can Sports Fields be used?
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Sports Fields are Open for passive use provided Provincial gathering limits are observed and participants practice physical distancing.
Established Leagues looking to resume Sport activities must contact the Parks, Recreation and Culture department @ 905-945-1288.
For inquiries regarding municipal services - please see the contact us page.
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What businesses are open and which are closed?
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When am I required to wear a mask?
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On Sept. 17, 2020, Niagara Regional Council extended the temporary face covering by-law (By-law 2020-46) to require residents to wear mandatory face coverings in enclosed public places, and on Regional and municipal transit during the COVID-19 pandemic. This by-law is to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in indoor public spaces as more businesses and services begin to reopen.
This link provides further details about the requirements, on the Niagara REgion's website: Further Mask Details |
| What are the current gathering limits? |
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On September 19, 2020 the Ontario government announced a reduction in gathering limits for private, unmonitored gatherings across Ontario. The reduced limits are:
- 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
- 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).
Full news release
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Enforcement
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Concerns about individuals not abiding by the mandatory 14-day self isolation following international travel, under the federal Quarantine Act, must be directed to Niagara Region Public Health at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 (press option 7 then follow the prompts), or submit online.
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For Grimsby non-compliance of parks, gatherings and similar concerns – please call Town Hall during works hours, submit an online bylaw complaint form, or call the emergency operations line after hours at 905-945-9201. If the matter is more urgent or other attempts are unsuccessful call the Niagara Region Police COVID-19 Enforcement support line @ 1-877-552-5579. Do not call 9-1-1
- Complaints about businesses operating that are non-essential: Call Town Hall during business hours, submit an online bylaw complaint form, or contact 905-945-9201 after hours.
- For all COVID-19 health matters and/or inquiries, please call the Public Health hotline at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 (press option 7 then follow the prompts)
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Restoring Municipal Services
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The Town of Grimsby is committed to restoring municipal services in a safe and efficient in a manner, while also continuing to maintain controls that manage COVID-19 risks.
| Recovery Framework |
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A recovery team has been established for the Town of Grimsby, to ensure focused attention on the recovery and adaptation plans needed from COVID-19. The recovery team is focusing on three key areas: Rework, Respond and Reimagine.
REWORK
Preparing and adapting the work environment to ensure safety, productivity and adaptability to fluctuating work environments, related to COVID-19.
RESPOND
Adjusting corporate plans and customer service approaches such as preparing financial impact reviews, opening up some municipal services safely, exploring ways to interact with the community virtually, and providing safe and functional customer service experiences
REIMAGINE
Renewing, reimagining and adapting community services; preparing for flexible and impactful community engagement, providing support for our community service partners.
As municipal services resume, additional information will be shared with community members.
Grimsby is currently in Stage 3 of the Ontario Framework for Re-opening.
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| Public Health Guidance |
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While visiting public spaces, everyone must continue to follow Public Health guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19:
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Continue Frequent Hand washing and hand sanitization
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Maintain 2 m (6 feet) meter physical distancing
- Face coverings are now required in most public facilities
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It is still encouraged to to limit social circles to 10 people
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Avoiding touching shared surfaces
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Staying home if feeling ill
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| Municipal Service Status Updates |
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The health and well being of our community remains top priority to the Town of Grimsby. As services begin to resume, updates can be found here as to what is currently open.
Services Status
| Beach / Waterfront |
OPEN |
| Dog Parks |
OPEN |
| Facility Rentals |
Limited - call 905-945-1288 |
| Fitness Centre |
Open - modified hours |
| Fitness Programs |
Several pre-registered programs are now operating outdoors
Contact 905-945-1288 for information
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| Grimsby Lions Pool |
CLOSED for 2020 season |
| Grimsby Museum |
CLOSED |
| Grimsby Public Art Gallery |
CLOSED |
| Grimsby Public Library |
OPEN for browsing, curbside picks, and computer use |
| Livingston Activity Centre |
CLOSED |
| Parks |
OPEN |
| Peach King Centre |
OPEN Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm,
Mon and Thurs open until 8 pm, Saturdays 830 am - 1230 pm |
| Picnic Areas and Pavilions |
OPEN - Permit required for organized uses |
| Playgrounds and Play Equipment |
OPEN |
| Skate Park |
OPEN |
| Splash pad - Peach King Centre |
OPEN 9:30am - 8:30pm (closed 3 - 3:30pm for cleaning)
Occupancy limit of 16 people |
| Sports Fields |
OPEN - Permit required for organized sports |
| Summer Camp |
Modified 2020 Program - programs now completed |
| Tennis Courts |
OPEN |
| Town Hall |
Select Services by Appointment Only |
| Waste Receptacle Purchase |
By Appointment - call 905-945-9634 |
| Public Washrooms |
Most remain unavailable at this time
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Town staff will continue to assist and serve citizens online and over the phone. Our phones will continue to be answered between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM Monday to Friday (905-945-9634), and online service requests will remain available at www.grimsby.ca
Some municipal services will still be made available by appointment. We would ask that you please contact our staff through phone or email. If an appointment is required our staff would be happy to guide you through our public interaction protocol to determine if we are able to facilitate an in-person meeting at this time.
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| Tax and Water Rate Assistance |
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Grimsby Town Council has approved the following financial supports to help Grimsby residents during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- waive penalty and interest charges on current (2020) taxes that are past due from May 1 until September 30, 2020
- waive penalty charges on past due water accounts from April 1 until September 30, 2020
- waive interest charges on past due accounts receivable from April 1 until September 30, 2020
- waive NSF charges on tax and water payments from April 1 until September 30, 2020
- the Town will continue to process pre-authorized payments for taxes and water on their regular billing schedule. Those that wish to be remove from pre-authorized payments should contact the Town.
Ratepayers that are able to continue to pay their property taxes and water bills are strongly encouraged to do so. This assistance is intended for Grimsby residents who are not able to pay at this time, due to COVID-19 impacts. These rate supports will continue to be reviewed as timelines for COVID-19 become more clear. For questions please call the Town of Grimsby at 905-945-9634.
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Public Health Information
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The local public health unit for Grimsby is Niagara Region Public Health. For local health information and updates on COVID-19 please visit the Niagara Region Public Health website: Niagara Region Public Health
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