The COVID-19 situation is ever-changing and we've put together a list of resources for the most up-to-date information. We recommend tuning into Prime Minister Trudeau's daily update as new programs are being rolled out to support individuals, families and businesses.

General COVID-19 Information

Earlier this week, Premier Doug Ford announced that all non-essential workplaces would be ordered to close by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, March 24, for 14 days, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Where possible, businesses should take the necessary measures so staff can work from home allowing operations to continue. List of essential workplaces.

  • Minister Lisa MacLeod (Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture) announced this week that the government will be allowing all licensed restaurants, bars and pubs to sell and deliver unopened alcohol at their establishments.
  • The city of Niagara Falls has closed all city playgrounds, fitness equipment and skate parks in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.
  • As of March 30, the WEGO Blue Line (Route 602) service is temporarily cancelled until further notice. The Green Line was suspended on March 14. Red Line service will continue to provide any and all service in the tourism core ensuring connections with the city's transit service to our community and out-of-town connections.

 

Resources for Individuals and Families - Click here to learn more

  • Waiving the one-week waiting period and the requirement for a medical certificate for employment insurance (EI) sickness benefits to provide immediate support for workers in quarantine
  • Introducing an Emergency Support Benefit to provide support to workers facing unemployment who are not eligible for EI
  • Proposed legislation to establish the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). This benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CERB would be a simpler and more accessible combination of the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit. Application process begins in April.
  • Increasing the Canada Child Benefit
  • Special Goods and Services Tax credit payment
  • Extending time to file income tax returns to June 1, 2020
  • Mortgage support
  • Immediate electricity rate relief for families and small businesses for a 45-day period, holding electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 cents-per-kilowatt-hour. This reduced price will be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to all time-of-use customers. By switching to a fixed off-peak rate, time-of-use customers will see rate reductions of over 50 per cent compared to on-peak rates.

Educational Resources

Premier Doug Ford acknowledged Monday that he doesn't think it is realistic to expect the province's public schools to reopen on April 6. In response, the government has shared educational resources to help keep students learning and engaged during school closures.

Math story time  -  TVO Kids  -  TVO Mathify  -  High School Courses
 

Resources for Businesses - Click here to learn more

  • Announced today: wage subsidy increased to 75% (from 10%). Details to be announced on Monday, March 30th. 
  • Canada Revenue Agency will defer tax payments until August 31, 2020, to help businesses with cash flow.
  • a new Business Credit Availability Program to make more than $10 billion available to Canadian businesses in financing and credit insurance solutions.

  • The government's plan also includes measures that will make available $10 billion in support for people and businesses through tax and other deferrals to improve their cash flows over the coming months.

 

What You Can Do


Make health and safety a top priority.

The Government of Canada has a global travel advisory in place to avoid all non-essential travel.

  • Emergency measures have been put in place that require mandatory 14-day self-isolation for all persons entering Canada, even if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Canada and the United States are temporarily restricting all non-essential travel across our border. Essential travel will continue unimpeded to preserve supply chains between both countries and ensure that food, fuel and life-saving medicines reach people on both sides of the border.

The Government and public health officials are urging all Canadians to:

  • stay home unless it is absolutely essential to go out
  • practice social / physical distancing and good hygiene 

Continue to make health and safety a top priority. Follow suggested guidelines to protect yourself, your family and your community. If you think you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use this self-assessment to help determine how to seek further care. 


Keep relying on trusted sources.

There is a lot of misinformation in the news and on social media about COVID-19. Continue to rely on the advice, guidance and information provided by public health authorities.

Canada

U.S.A.

World Health Organization

Stay safe. Stay positive. Be kind to each other. We are all in this together!

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March, 17, 2020

Niagara Falls, as an iconic travel destination, has responded to cautionary measures recommended by public health agencies, provincial and federal governments, to further enhance safety of staff and visitors.

Quickly changing circumstances around COVID-19 (coronavirus) and efforts to contain the spread of the virus have resulted in the temporary closure of all dine-in restaurants and bars, except those that offer take out or delivery in Ontario. The announcement was made on Tuesday morning by Premier Doug Ford following the guidance by Ontario’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams. Health officials are now also instructing people to avoid social gatherings of more than 50 people.

As businesses rapidly adapt to daily updates from health officials, many are faced with the difficult decision to close or significantly adjust their operations. The resulting impact on restaurants, theatres and attractions of all types ultimately impacts the demand for hotel accommodation in a tourist destination like Niagara Falls. Hotels with shared overhead among multiple properties are consolidating efforts to maintain operational efficiencies and provide guests with exceptional service during their stay.

Niagara Falls Tourism continues to compile and review all available information on this changing situation and updates are available at www.niagarafallstourism.com. Click here to send an email inquiry to our staff.

When travel advisories are cleared, demand will return and Niagara Falls will once again welcome international and domestic guests to experience the extraordinary wonder. In the meantime, there are wonderful opportunities to discover the natural beauty of the Falls, many hiking and walking trails in the area and to enjoy the amenities and services provided by dedicated operators in the accommodation sector.

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March 16, 2020

Niagara Falls Tourism is closely monitoring all developments related to COVID-19 and sharing factual, up-to-date information to ensure visitors can make informed travel decisions and that the destination has the information required to meet visitor expectations.

The health and safety of visitors and community members in Niagara Falls is top priority. 

  • As of March 16, the Niagara Region remains low risk for COVID-19 (coronavirus)

 https://niagararegion.ca/health/covid-19/default.aspx

The combined prevention efforts set out by a variety of government health authorities applied by both businesses and individuals is the best practice for dealing with the coronavirus.

  • To help contain the spread of COVID-19, Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, has recommended the suspension of all gatherings over 250 people because of this pandemic.

Below you will find official resources regarding the coronavirus as they relate to health and safety, and travel advisories.

 

While Niagara Falls remains a safe and welcoming destination, we know that COVID-19 remains top of mind for many travellers.

With the entire world focused on the number one priority of controlling the spread of COVID-19, large events, theatres, venues, attractions, restaurants and meeting spaces are now faced with making the difficult decision to temporarily close, many of which have already done so.

Visitors are of course still able to view the Falls, only with fewer amenities within steps of the brink. Many of the businesses and attractions in Niagara Falls are open and welcoming visitors during this March break.

We recommend that you call or check ahead online before visiting to ensure you have the most up-to-date information available. Click here to send an email inquiry to our staff regarding specific business or attraction opening hours.

 

Additional Resources

Canada

U.S.A.

World Health Organization

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