COVID-19

Vaccine Passport 

The City of Port Colborne is committed to ensuring the health and safety of residents and staff. As the province continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, effective today the following City facilities will require people to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status, along with photo ID, to gain access.

• Vale Health & Wellness Centre
• Any adult (18+) accessing the facility for any purpose, including parents or guardians of youth participating in an organized sport, walkers and the general public
• Youth (12+) that are spectating and not actively participating
• COVID-19 screening will also be in effect for all individuals entering the building  

Youth under 18 years of age actively participating in an organized sport, including training, practices, games and competitions, patrons with a medical exemption, and workers or volunteers (including coaches and officials) are not required to provide proof of vaccination at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre.  

As of Nov. 12, 2021, proof of vaccination status is required through the enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate (QR code) that will be scanned through the Verify Ontario App, along with photo ID, to gain access. A laptop and printer is available at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre for patrons that require assistance in printing their enhanced vaccine certificate. 

Requiring proof of vaccination helps to reduce risk and keep our residents and staff safe, while allowing our facilities to stay open with minimal service disruptions. 

This approach focuses on higher-risk indoor public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn, meeting and event spaces and facilities used for sports and fitness, and sporting events.

COVID-19 Vaccination Workplace Policy Resources and Proof of Vaccination

Let's re-connect, Port Colborne! Accessing City Services

Download your Guidebook to Re-connect with us. 

Watch our video. 

City Hall Municipal Offices

• As of Monday, November 29, 2021, City Hall, among other administration buildings, will open for in-person and walk-in services. 
• To access City services, please call our customer service team at 905-835-2900 or email customerservice@portcolborne.ca 

Vale Health & Wellness Centre

• The walking track and rinks, and YMCA are open. For more information, read our Guidebook to re-connect with us, or visit the Vale Health & Wellness Centre website. 

The Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum

• Residents and visitors are encouraged to walk through the Museum, Heritage Village & Marine park, and use picnic tables and benches unassisted. You’re also encouraged to use the grounds as a backdrop for upcoming family photos!

• The Museum is open daily from 12 - 4 p.m. until December 20, 2021.

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  What can you expect when you arrive in-person?

  • For entrance to the Museum gallery and gift shop you will ring the doorbell. You will be greeted by a staff member and actively screened prior to entry into the building in accordance with municipal requirements. 
  • For entrance to the Archives, you will be required to make an appointment.
  • You are required to wear a face covering.
  • Entry will be by capacity.
• For more information, please call 905-834-7604.

The Port Colborne Public Library

• Entry will be by capacity and masks are required. All visitors to the library will be actively screened prior to entry into the building in accordance with municipal requirements. There is no in-person programming at this time.
• Curbside and in-person browsing will continue, with the following hours:
  • Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Public computers will be available for 60-minute sessions, during the following hours:
  • Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    • No appointment necessary

Public Works 

• As of Monday, November 29, 2021, Public Works will open to serve residents for walk-in and in-person services. Appointments will also still be scheduled and, where possible, services will be provided through remote means.
• Essential City services, including but not limited to, road maintenance, and water and wastewater operations will continue.

Community restrictions as of July 16, 2021 

• Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 100 people
• Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 25 people
• Indoor dining with no limits to the number of patrons per table
• Retail with capacity limited to ensure physical distancing
• Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremony gatherings with physical distancing
• Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities with capacity limits
• Personal care services with capacity limited to ensure physical distancing
• Museums, casinos, and bingo halls with capacity limits
• Cinemas, concert, theatres, and other performing arts venues with capacity limits
  • For more information, please visit the Government of Ontario website

State of Emergency 

On January 12, 2021 the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is immediately declaring a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA). 

What is a declaration of emergency?

Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act the Mayor, or their designate, has the authority to declare an emergency in response to a situation, or impending situation, that presents a major danger that could result in serious harm to residents or substantial damage to property.

Why are we declaring an emergency?

We want to highlight how serious the COVID-19 situation is, and the importance of efforts to slow the spread of the virus. The actions the City, and residents, take over the coming weeks will be critical if a rapid increase in cases is to be prevented. Rapid local transmission could overwhelm the health care system and have dramatic impacts on the health of residents and City staff, possibly impacting the delivery of services.

The declaration underscores the continued importance of efforts to flatten the transmission curve, reminding residents that even as faith-based holidays approach and the weather improves they must continue to do their part by following the advice of public health officials, and orders put in place by the Province, to:

• Self isolate and stay home whenever possible
• Maintain physical separation of two meters
• Avoid gatherings of over five people
• Wash their hands regularly
• Routinely disinfect surfaces
• Observe mandatory closures of non-essential businesses and outdoor recreational amenities
• Follow mandatory 14-day quarantines when returning from travel outside of the province

Declaring an emergency allows us to not only draw attention to how important public cooperation is and how serious the COVID-19 situation could become, but also allows the City to act more quickly in its decision making in response to the virus.

Mandatory Masks By-Law 

How can you limit the spread? 

• Washing hands often with soap and water
• Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hand washing is not possible
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Social distancing: stay home and only leave for food and other essentials, preferably only once per week
• Covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing with a tissue or arms and sleeves 
• Avoid touching of the face, eyes, mouth and eyes
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Staying home if sick
• Avoid all non-essential international travel, as recommended by Provincial and Federal health authorities 
• Avoiding sharing of personal items
• Wear a mask when physical distancing is difficult or not an option

Self Isolation 

• Not go to work, child care, or other public areas for 14 days
• If you develop symptoms within 14 days of your self-isolation period, you must remain in self-isolation for an additional 14 days from the day your symptoms started OR 24 hours after your symptoms have stopped, whichever is longer
• Separate themselves from others from others
• Sleep in a separate room
• Have a bathroom in your home dedicated to only you (if possible)
• Maintain a distance of two metres from other people
• Not have guests or visitors over
• Clean hands often
• Not use public transportation, ride sharing companies or taxis
• Cancel non-urgent appointments until the end of the monitoring period
• Avoid close contact with others, including those in their home as much as possible
• Make alternate arrangements to support children and other dependents
• Ask a friend or family member to help get a supply of groceries and other necessities, the isolating individual(s) should not under any circumstances go themselves

Individuals in self-isolation who need to go out for any reason, call the Public Health Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Info Line at 905-688-8248 ext. 7019 or 1-888-505-6074, and a nurse will provide you with detailed instructions to follow.

Additional Resources and Information 

Please visit the following links for further information related to COVID-19, including testing, case tracking and affected areas:

Niagara Region Public Health

Province of Ontario

Government of Canada

Vaccinations 

Niagara Region Public Health is currently hosting vaccination clinics across the region. Find out when you can expect to get your vaccine and see Niagara Region Public Health's COVID-19 vaccine clinic schedule.

If you signed up at many places for your vaccine and you received it, please cancel your other bookings. This is one more small thing you can do to help us get the vaccine to more people and beat COVID-19.

If you are calling to book, cancel or reschedule:  You can reschedule your appointment online or by calling 1-833-943-3900 (which is the Provincial Vaccine appointment line).

If you are calling to ask about changing their second appointment (to move it up sooner) or for all other covid-19 inquires: call the COVID-19 Info-Line at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074, press 7.

For up-to-date information including Niagara region COVID-19 stats, please visit their website. 

Safety Plan

Since March of 2020, the City of Port Colborne has adapted to the effects of COVID-19 in the work environment. The City has taken necessary steps to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on operations, while also protecting the health and safety of all employees, visitors, and the public. The City’s Emergency Control Group (ECG) has consistently met on a weekly basis to evaluate, discuss, and make recommendations regarding best practices in the response to COVID-19.

The City of Port Colborne’s COVID-19 Safety Plan is an outline of the current actions that are being taken to protect the health, safety and well-being of employees, visitors, and the community.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation, and the Safety Plan will be reviewed regularly, and changes made as required.

Date completed: December 9, 2020
Date revised: November 17, 2021
Prepared by: Health & Safety Coordinator 

Read Port Colborne's Safety Plan