Grimsby (Niagara Region) is moving into the ORANGE/RESTRICT Level in the new Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. This change is effective Monday, November 16 at 12:01 am
Full details regarding each level of the framework can be found here:
COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open
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
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 October 2, the Ontario government mandated face coverings in public places. For information about those requirements please visit this link: Face coverings and face masks
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
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| What are the current gathering limits? |
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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
For current gathering limitations and information please refer to the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open
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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 - Peach King Centre |
Open |
| Fitness Programs |
Several pre-registered programs are now operating
Contact 905-945-1288 for information
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| Grimsby Lions Pool |
CLOSED for 2020 season |
| Grimsby Museum |
OPEN - modified hours |
| Grimsby Public Art Gallery |
OPEN - modified hours |
| Grimsby Public Library |
OPEN for browsing, curbside picks, and computer use |
| Livingston Activity Centre |
CLOSED |
| Parks |
OPEN |
| Peach King Centre |
OPEN - Visits must be for scheduled programs |
| Picnic Areas and Pavilions |
OPEN - Permit required for organized uses |
| Playgrounds and Play Equipment |
OPEN |
| Skate Park |
OPEN |
| Splash pad - Peach King Centre |
CLOSED for the season - October 5 2020 |
| Sports Fields |
CLOSED for the season |
| Summer Camp |
Modified 2020 Program - programs now completed |
| Tennis Courts |
OPEN until Oct 31, 2020 |
| 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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| Visiting Municipal Public Buildings |
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Please note the following if planning a visit to one of our municipal buildings that are open for public use:
- All facilities require face coverings to be worn at all times (exceptions - sport and strenuous fitness and exceptions as part of the Niagara Region Face Covering Bylaw)
- All patrons are asked to complete self screening prior to arriving at the site. Please use this Niagara Region Public Health screening tool
- All patrons will be asked for confirmation of screening upon entering the facility and will be asked to provide contact information for attendance tracing purposes
- Attendance tracing information will be shared with Public Health if requested for purposes of contact tracing. Please note that any instances of contact tracing related to COVID-19 will be completed by Niagara Region Public Health, not by Town Staff or rental group organizations.
- Facilities are open for specific planned uses only, they are not currently open for general visiting
- Visitors to the Peach King Centre facility are restricted to those that are part of a specific rental, program or activity, or for brief general counter inquiries. Reduced facility capacity restrictions are in place, and all uses have prescribed entrance and exit times that must be adhered to.
- All public facilities have additional cleaning protocols in place. Space modifications have been made to ensure physical distancing can be maintained. Hand sanitizer is available at all sites.
- Some facilities, including Town Hall, are providing services by appointment only.
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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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