News

June 15, 2020, Simcoe, ON – As of this Friday, Haldimand and Norfolk Counties will be joining much of the rest of Ontario in the Province’s second stage of re-opening, the Premier announced today.

The change means that municipal beaches and piers in Haldimand and Norfolk will re-open this weekend.

For information regarding beaches at provincial parks, visit http://www.ontarioparks.com/covid19.

It also means that, among other things, personal care services – such as hair salons, barbershops, spas, tattoo parlours and more – will be able to re-open with restrictions starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Restaurants, bars, food trucks and other food and drink establishments (e.g., wineries, breweries and distilleries) will be able to open for dining in outdoor areas only, such as patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent premises.

Libraries and shopping malls may also re-open, with certain restrictions.

It is important to note that just because a service is permitted to open starting Friday does not mean it must open. Businesses and service providers should only open when they are ready to do so and can meet provincial guidelines.

It is recommended that all local business owners able to open under stage 2 review and ensure their operations meet the minimum provincial guidelines. These guidelines can be accessed at www.ontario.ca/page/resources-prevent-covid-19-workplace.

Last week, the Province increased the cap on social gatherings to a maximum of ten people. People must still practice physical distancing by keeping at least two metres away from others outside of their direct household.

It was also announced last week that places of worship may begin operating at a maximum of 30 percent of the capacity of the room where the wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony is conducted

Full details on Ontario’s stage two plans can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/framework-reopening-our-province-stage-2.

Updates from the Health Unit are available at hnhu.org/covid-19.