Friday June 18th, 2021 Newsletter

Ontario expanding eligibility for second COVID-19 vaccine doses With a majority of Ontario adults having received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and over three million doses of the Moderna vaccine arriving in June, the province is continuing to accelerate its vaccine rollout by expanding eligibility for second doses ahead of schedule. As of Monday, June 21, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., all Ontarians who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 9, 2021 will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval. As of Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 30, 2021 and who live in the catchment area of one of the 10 public health units identified as Delta hot spots (Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Porcupine, Simcoe-Muskoka, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, and York public health units) will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval. Starting the week of June 28, 2021 (days / sequence to be confirmed) all Ontarians aged 18 and over who have received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to book their second dose appointment. The appointment will be scheduled at least 28 days after the first dose, per the recommended interval.

Canada is easing its travel restrictions. Here’s what you need to know

After more than a year of travel restrictions that have impacted most Canadians, the federal government has finally begun to ease the rules, the CBC is reporting.

Ottawa has embarked on Phase 1 of a multiphase approach to lift its travel restrictions. However, the government warns that the process will be gradual — based on scientific data and not people’s pleas to reopen the borders.

Here’s what changes are happening soon and what to expect as more Canadians get vaccinated.

Upcoming Ministry of Labour COVID-19 Enforcement Campaigns
 

Good afternoon Councillors,

You may remember that we have previously worked with a provincial team led by the Ministry of Labour to conduct enforcement campaigns in Niagara. News articles around the two previous campaigns, one in mid-December and another in late January, can be found here:

Cabinet minister calls out Niagara businesses over lax COVID plans | NiagaraFallsReview.ca

‘Extremely disappointing’: Niagara big-box store blitz turns up compliance issues | The Star

Unfortunately as the above headlines illustrate, while many businesses were doing a good job, there were still a significant number of businesses in Niagara that had gaps in their preventive measures.

As we are beginning to reopen, we have re-engaged the Ministry of Labour to do an additional enforcement campaign to help get Niagara as prepared as possible as more people return to work in person, and the public begins to visit establishments again.

We have confirmed a 2 part campaign going forward with the first part later this week into the weekend, and then the same next week:

·         June 17 to 19

·         June 24 to 26

We have advised the Ministry of Labour on workplace settings that have more commonly seen outbreaks in Niagara (e.g. greenhouses, manufacturing) and those settings will be prioritized during this enforcement campaign. Enforcement agents will be visiting all municipalities in Niagara.

Of course, these campaigns are a more intense, but short-term supplement to the regular enforcement activity that takes place in Niagara daily through Local Area Municipal bylaw offices, the Region’s Business Licensing office, and the Niagara Regional Police. We think these campaigns are a useful complement to other enforcement activity taking place, and help fulfill Council’s direction in November to have more enforcement for COVID-19 prevention measures.

We hope that the findings of the last campaign, and our promotion of resources in the interim, as well as our advice phone line for businesses, had led to improved measures out in the community, and we will see more positive headlines with this campaign.

Thanks.
 ____________________________________

M. Mustafa Hirji, MD MPH FRCPC
Medical Officer of Health & Commissioner (Acting)
Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services

Order Rapid Test Kits Today What you need to know. Any business that is in any of the South Niagara Chambers of Commerce areas that employs 150 people or less can access this program. Fill out the following form to order your tests. Once your order is received and packaged, you will be notified by your local Chamber of Commerce.  Please do not visit our offices until your time for pickup has been scheduled and you have received your confirmation email. Each company should assign a Screening Supervisor Designate, who will be the contact person. If you have multiple businesses, please fill out one form per business. What you need to know before you arrive. All visitors must complete and PASS a COVID-19 assessment before entering the premises. Check-in at registration and provide the completed PASP (Provincial Antigen Screening Program) form. Click here to download the agreement form. Please bring a printed copy of the completed form when you pick up your kits. You will be required to watch a 5-minute training video during your initial pick-up. Capacity limited to 1 visitor at any one time. Masks and physical distancing are mandatory while in the building. Book a time to pick up your tests We will be taking appointments for test pick-ups once a week at our Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, and Welland offices. We will also have a weekly appointment day at Stolk Construction in Port Colborne. A representative from our office will be in touch to arrange a pickup time at your designated location.  Prior to your arrival, you must watch this video Here is an additional training video specific to your kit. To book your appointment please fill out the online form. We will respond with a confirmation email and more information. Thank you. Upon your arrival Sign the PASP Agreement Wear a mask when entering the building Maintain social distancing Test Kit Order Form

Ontario caps 2022 residential rent increases at 1.2% Based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), the guideline on rent increases for 2022 in Ontario is 1.2 per cent. The CPI is a measure of inflation calculated monthly by Statistics Canada using data that reflects economic conditions over the past year. The guideline applies to most residential rental accommodations covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. It does not apply to rental units in buildings occupied for the first time after November 15, 2018, social housing units, long-term care homes or commercial property. The rent increase guideline is the maximum most landlords can raise a tenant’s rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). It is applicable to most rent increases between January 1 and December 31, 2022. Ontario has frozen rent for the vast majority of tenants in 2021. To support renters, the 2021 rent increase guideline was set at 0 per cent. Rent increases are not automatic or mandatory. Landlords may only raise rent if they gave tenants at least 90 days written notice using the correct form. In most cases, the rent increase cannot be more than the rent increase guideline. In addition, at least 12 months must have passed since the first day of the tenancy or the last rent increase.

COVID-19 vaccination clinic dates added for the first week of July New Niagara Region Public Health COVID-19 clinic dates have been added to the provincial portal. Appointments are now available from July 1 – 7, in Pelham at the Meridian Community Centre. Demand for clinics is expected to be very high. Residents are encouraged to sign up as quickly as possible, especially if they have not yet had their first dose. More information around eligibility can be found at niagararegion.ca/covid-vaccine. Eligible residents can book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination either online through the provincial portal at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling the provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900.