In Today's Update
- Messages from NOTO's President and Executive Director
- COVID-19 orders extended - what you need to know
- Canada-US border closure extended
- Rapid testing pilot project in Alberta
- Canada United Fund (assistance for small businesses to purchase PPE)
We will continue to strive to bring forward pertinent information to the tourism industry as it becomes available. We will also do our best to find answers to your questions. Do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.
NOTO Contact Emails:
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A Message from NOTO's President
Bob Garson, Garson's Fly-In Outposts
Hello NOTO members,
I would encourage members run for the openings on our board. There are 2 vacancies in the Southern region, 1 vacancy in the Northwest, 1 vacancy in the North Central and 3 vacancies in the Northeast. We do have some candidates who have put their names forward for all but the South region. Members will be able to run for these openings from the floor at the virtual NOTO AGM which is set to take place on November 26th.
I also encourage members to vote as your input can be a valuable part of electing board members who will represent your area. Members should have received their electronic ballots in their inboxes on Monday, October 19th.
I would like to see that deserving members are recognized with our awards, so make sure you nominate them.
I thank everyone for their co operation on these maters.
NOTO President
Bob Garson
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A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
Laurie Marcil
As we continue our efforts to keep Government updated on the struggles that our resource-based tourism operators are dealing with, I wanted to take a moment to thank those of you who regularly share your experiences, suggestions and important information on the current and new funding programs that are available to tourism businesses. Hearing from you about whether these programs are effective or not for you is vital to ensuring we are advocating clearly the needs of our industry.
This week we are expecting further announcements from our Provincial Government that we hope will bring some certainty and relief. We will be sending out details as soon as they become available.
Be well,
Laurie
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Provincial Government Updates
The Provincial Government has extended all COVID-19 Orders for an additional 30 days, with possibility of extension. Ontario also announced that it is introducing the Supporting Ontario's Recovery Act, 2020. If passed, it will provide liability protection for workers, volunteers and organizations that make an honest effort to follow public health guidelines and laws relating to exposure to COVID-19. At the same time, it will maintain the right of Ontarians to take legal action against those who willfully, or with gross negligence, endanger others.
For areas in Stage 3, the following restrictions continue to apply:
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Mandatory Masks: masks must be worn at all times in all indoor public spaces and businesses (unless you are eating or drinking).
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Gathering restrictions: The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering is 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors. Unmonitored and private social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas. The new limits do not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship, recreational sporting or performing art events. For businesses, indoor gatherings of 50 individuals and outdoor gatherings of 100 people are permitted as long as there is enough space to account for social distancing (2m or 6ft) between all individuals. Your employees do not count towards gathering limits in stage 3.
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Bar, Restaurant and Other Food and Drink Establishment Restrictions: All food and drink establishments must prohibit the sale of alcohol after 11pm and prohibit the consumption of alcohol on the premises after 12am until 9am (including employees) and require all establishments to be closed by 12am and remain closed until 5am (drive-thru or delivery services are permitted in this time frame). Buffets remain prohibited. Tables must be spaced 2m apart, unless separated by an impermeable barrier (plexiglass). No karaoke or dancing allowed. All food and drink establishments must record the name and contact information of at least one member of the group entering the dining establishment (not required for those picking up take-out orders) and maintain these records for a minimum of 1 month.
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Fitness Centers and Recreational Activities: These facilities may open however operators are encouraged to limit capacity to ensure physical distancing of 2 meters between individuals.
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Guides: This applies to hunting and fishing guides, tour guides and similar services (i.e. sightseeing). Although masks are not mandated in an outdoor setting as long as physical distancing is in place, it is recommended that all individuals wear masks. Businesses are now obligated to record the name and contact information of a minimum of 1 individual per group for the purpose of contact tracing and keep the record for 30 days. Gathering restrictions apply and social distancing must be maintained to the best of your abilities. Any equipment used must be properly cleaned and sanitized between use.
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Water Recreational Facilities: Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, water play structures and splash pads may open. People must practice social distancing. Operators should reduce resting areas (i.e. beach chairs) and consider reducing pool capacity. Operators are encouraged to use a booking system to limit the amount of individuals using the equipment at any one time and to allow for social distancing. Waterparks and amusement parks, saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars remain closed in Stage 3.
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Washrooms, Change Rooms and Showers: Change rooms, public washrooms and showers can be available to the public if operators can adequately sanitize and disinfect the facilities, ideally between use. Before opening these facilities to the public, operators should determine if they have enough staff to implement a frequent cleaning schedule. If cleaning can not be done between use, operators should implement a strict cleaning schedule and ensure staff sign a sheet indicating when the facilities were last cleaned and post signage warning individuals that the facilities may not have been disinfect prior to their use.
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Rental Equipment: Equipment rentals are permitted so long as you properly clean/disinfect all rental equipment between use.
For areas that have returned to a modified Stage 2 (York, Peel, Ottawa, Toronto), the following restrictions apply:
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Mandatory Masks: masks must be worn at all times in all indoor public spaces and businesses (unless you are eating or drinking).
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Gathering restrictions: The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an gathering of any type (including within a business) is 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors as long as there is enough space to account for social distancing (2m or 6ft) between all individuals. A maximum of 6 individuals can be seated at any table.
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Bar, Restaurant and Other Food and Drink Establishment Restrictions: Indoor dining must be closed. Businesses can be opened for take-out, delivery or outdoor dining only. For outdoor dining, all tables must be spaced 2m apart unless separated by an impermeable barrier (plexiglass), and the outdoor dining area must be adjacent the the business. If the outdoor dining area is covered by a roof, canopy, tent, awning or other element, at least two full sides of the outdoor dining area must be open to the outdoors and must not be substantially blocked by any walls or other impermeable physical barriers. Karaoke, dancing and buffets remain prohibited. Businesses must record the name and contact information of each individual that eats in the outdoor dining area (not required for those picking up take-out orders) and maintain these records for a minimum of a month. A maximum of 6 individuals can be seated at any table. Businesses must be closed by 12am and remain closed until 5am (drive-thru and delivery services permitted during this time frame). Any business licensed to sell liquor must ensure liquor is only sold or served between 9am and 11pm. The consumption of liquor is prohibited between 12am and 9am (including employees).
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Fitness Centers: These facilities are to be closed.
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Guides: This applies to hunting and fishing guides, tour guides and similar services (i.e. sightseeing). Although masks are not mandated in an outdoor setting as long as physical distancing is in place, it is recommended that all individuals wear masks. Businesses are now obligated to record the name and contact information of a minimum of 1 individual per group for the purpose of contact tracing and keep the record for 30 days. Gathering restrictions apply and social distancing must be maintained to the best of your abilities. Any equipment used must be properly cleaned and sanitized between use.
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Water Recreational Facilities: Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, water play structures and splash pads may open. People must practice social distancing. Operators should reduce resting areas (i.e. beach chairs) and consider reducing pool capacity. Operators are encouraged to use a booking system to limit the amount of individuals using the equipment at any one time and to allow for social distancing. Waterparks and amusement parks, saunas, steam rooms, bath houses, hot tubs and oxygen bars remain closed.
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Washrooms, Change Rooms and Showers: Public washrooms can remain open however change rooms and showers must be closed. Public washrooms should only be available to the public if operators can adequately sanitize and disinfect the facilities, ideally between use. If cleaning can not be done between use, operators should implement a strict cleaning schedule and ensure staff sign a sheet indicating when the facilities were last cleaned and post signage warning individuals that the facilities may not have been disinfect prior to their use.
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Rental Equipment: Equipment rentals are permitted so long as you properly clean/disinfect all rental equipment between use.
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Marinas and Docking Facilities: May remain open as long as all fitness centers, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and clubhouses remain closed.
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Campgrounds: May remain open as long as all indoor recreational facilities are closed (other than pools, splash pads and wading pools). All locker rooms, change rooms and showers must be closed. Operators must ensure that everyone within the campground is complying with gathering restrictions and social distancing.
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Hotels, Motels and Short Term Rentals (Lodges, Cabins, Cottages, Resorts): May remain open as long as all fitness centers, steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools and hot tubs must be closed. Operators must ensure that everyone is complying with gathering restrictions and social distancing.
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Canada-US Border Closure Extended
The Canada-US border closure has been extended to November 21st with possibility of extension. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canadians should anticipate the border to remain closed until COVID-19 is under control in the United States. As it currently stands, the US is officially in it's third wave with an average of 55,000 new cases added daily while Canada is currently in it's second wave reporting on average 2,000 new cases daily. |
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Rapid Testing Pilot Project in Alberta
A pilot program by the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada will test an alternative to the current 14-day quarantine requirement for international travellers. Staring on November 2nd, COVID-19 testing will be offered initially at two ports of entry into Canada, the Coutts land border crossing and the Calgary International Airport in Alberta. Travellers who participate will receive a COVID-19 test upon entry into Canada before proceeding into the required quarantine.
This new pilot project will explore the feasibility of using a rigorous testing and monitoring program as a strategy to reduce the mandatory quarantine period, while keeping Canadians safe. Once the test comes back negative, they will be allowed to leave their place of quarantine so long as they commit to getting a second test on day six or seven after arrival at a community pharmacy participating in the pilot program.
Participants will be closely monitored through daily symptoms checks. They will also be required to follow enhanced preventive health measures, such as wearing masks in public places and avoiding visiting high-risk groups.
We are very pleased to see that this pilot project has been initiated and are keeping a close eye on how it rolls out. We are also working to with our partners at the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Association to encourage these kinds of initiatives from our Provincial and Federal Governments. Fingers crossed this will help set a path forward on re-opening our border.
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The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be managed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to help small Canadian businesses with their recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19.
If awarded, a relief grant can be used for any of the following activities:
- Purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, face shields, and latex gloves.
- Renovating physical space to adhere to local, Provincial or Federal reopening guidelines.
- Developing or improving e-commerce capabilities for your business.
Successful applicants will receive a relief grant of up to $5,000.
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NOTO's COVID-19 Page
This page was created to keep you informed on the latest developments that may impact/help your businesses. This page features links to our COVID-19 newsletters, Government resources, information that may be useful to tourism operators and links to supports for tourism operators as they become available. This page will be updated regularly during this pandemic.
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Federal & Provincial Government Information
The Ontario and Federal Governments are regularly updating COVID-19 information, travel information, Minister statements, Government initiatives and statistics on their websites. For additional information from the Ontario or Federal Government, please click on the buttons below.
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NOTO is a membership based organization that works hard to support the outdoor tourism industry through advocacy and information services. We do not receive Government funding for operating and rely on annual memberships from tourism businesses, organizations, product and service suppliers, and partners. For more information about membership with NOTO visit noto.ca
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