Dec. 21, 2020: Today, the Ontario government has announced that there is a province-wide shutdown starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday (Boxing Day) due to the increasing positive COVID-19 cases and deaths.
The current COVID-19 Response Framework will be paused when the Province-wide Shutdown comes into effect. The impacts of these time-limited measures will be evaluated throughout the 14 days in Northern Ontario and 28 days in Southern Ontario to determine if it is safe to lift any restrictions or if they need to be extended.
It is expected that the lockdown will remain in effect until January 23, 2021 for the Niagara Public Health Unit, including St. Catharines.
Business owners with questions about temporary measures, including closures and essential workplaces during the coronavirus outbreak, can call Ontario’s Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
As many restaurants and retail businesses will want to strongly promote their curbside pick-up and delivery services, we invite all Downtown BIA business members to share your current information with us. On our website mydowntown.ca, we can list your hours of operation and the services you offer (take-out, curbside pick-up and/or delivery) on your business listing. Check your current business listing, then email any changes to carolyn@rachelb75.sg-host.com or phone 905-685-8424.
We also recommend that Downtown businesses visit the City of St. Catharines’ new loveSTC website and submit your business information there to receive a free business listing.
Free afternoon parking continues this month at downtown parking meters and City-owned surface lots, starting at 12noon Monday through Friday, 3 hour time limit, until December 31. Designated curbside pick-up spots are also available for free short-term (15 minutes) parking.