December 14th, 2020 | COVID-19 Government and Business Support Updates

Sally Litchfield posted on 12/14/2020 10:09:00 AM

CENTRE WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROVIDES COVID-19 GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS SUPPORT UPDATES

WDG Public Health recommends that our Region moves to Red, Control, Level, effective Monday, December 14.

December 9, 2020

Read full media release here.

In meetings with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Medical Officer of Health and CEO Dr. Nicola Mercer has recommended that the region move to the “Red – Control” level of the provincial COVID-19 response framework. There has been a significant and troubling increase in cases over the past week along with increased hospitalizations prompting this recommendation.

“I want to tell every resident of our region in the strongest possible terms, that COVID-19 is spreading very quickly in our community. The rate at which cases continue to grow – especially in the last few days – requires immediate action,” said Dr. Mercer.

In addition to measures already in place in the region, moving to the “Red – Control” level would include limitations on gathering sizes, and new restrictions on businesses and other spaces as detailed in the COVID-19 framework.

If the Cabinet follows Dr. Mercer’s recommendation, the change to the “Red – Control” would be announced on Friday (December 11) and take effect on Monday (December 14). The earliest the region would be eligible to move back to “Orange” would be 28 days from December 14.

“Today, the federal government approved the first COVID-19 vaccine for use in Canada. We can see hope on the horizon,” said Dr. Mercer. “Please, please do everything you can to make sure that we all make it over the finish line together.”

What does this mean for your business, if we do move to Red on Monday?

The framework outlines sector-specific changes, as well as general public health measures.

We have included a few of these below. For the full framework, click here.

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE ACROSS ALL SECTORS

trips outside of the home should only be for essential reasons (work, school, groceries/pharmacy, health care, assisting vulnerable individuals or exercise and physical activity)
families should not visit any other household or allow visitors in their homes – people who live alone can gather with one household
everyone should avoid social gatherings
work remotely, where possible

Organized public events, social gatherings and wedding, funeral and religious services, rites and ceremonies

Limits for all organized public events and social gatherings (this includes events and gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities)
5 people indoors
25 people outdoors
Limits for religious services rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, where physical distancing can be maintained (applies in any venue other than a private dwelling):
30% capacity of the room indoors
100 people outdoors

Meeting and event spaces

Capacity limit for the venue, where physical distancing can be maintained:
10 people indoors or
25 people outdoors
Establishments must be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Limit of 4 people may be seated together
Screening and contact info of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments

Capacity limits, where physical distancing can be maintained:
10 patrons seated indoors
Outdoor dining, take out, drive through, and delivery permitted, including alcohol
Require patrons to be seated; 2 metres minimum or impermeable barrier required between tables
Limit of 4 people may be seated together
Face coverings required except when eating or drinking only
Personal protective equipment, including eye protection required when is a worker must come within 2 metres of another person who is not wearing a face covering
Screening and contact info of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Retail

Fitting rooms must be limited to non-adjacent stalls
2 metres distance required inside and outside
Screening of patrons is required, in accordance with instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health

Are you compliant with workplace screening regulations?

Businesses or organizations must operate in compliance with the advice, recommendations instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening individuals. This includes:

Workplaces must screen any workers or essential visitors entering the work environment. See the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces for more information.
Some businesses or organizations must screen patrons. Where this is required, it is noted in the sector-specific pieces of the framework.

The Get Ready Daily Screening Tool™ is one option that has been presented to Ontario Chambers of Commerce. It is a simple and easily accessible app that allows employees, essential visitors, and contractors to complete the required assessment on their desktop or mobile device to determine if they are COVID-19 safe to enter a workplace. With custom logo branding available, and a manager dashboard with at-a-glance results, it's an easy way to be compliant.

CWCC members receive a 10% discount. Email us for the code!

Do you have a Workplace Safety Plan?

We have resources and affinity partners that can help you with this! Please send us an email or give us a call and we will connect you with the information and support that you need.

Email chamber@cwchamber.ca or call 519-843-5140.

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About the Author

Having been with CWCC since early 2019 wearing a few different hats including event planning, bookkeeping, and marketing, I’m excited to have stepped into the Interim General Manager role. My background includes over ten years of event and program management experience, in both the non-profit and corporate sectors, from large business-to-business conferences to fundraising events across the country and almost everything in between. Throughout my career I have gained extensive administrative and financial experience, and also found time to complete my MBA!

I am proud to now call Centre Wellington home and look forward to further supporting the business community. CWCC strives to provide solutions, benefits, and connections for our businesses, create opportunities to learn and grow, and advocate for local business needs.

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