The town of Lincoln has announced its operational plan during the provincial lockdown that starts Saturday and runs for 28 days.
Town manager Michael Kirkopoulos said the town’s plan for its facilities during the lockdown is aimed at balancing safety against needed services. “We truly appreciate the patience our community has continued to show throughout the year as we’ve braved the pandemic together,” he said.
Once the province-wide shutdown starts Saturday here is what Lincoln residents can expect locally.
Town Hall and Administrative Offices
Town Hall and facilities will shut down for the holiday closure Dec. 24 to Jan. 4.
Thereafter Lincoln town hall will remain open with limited capacity. Visitors need to contact the town ahead of time to make an appointment for essential services. Lincoln Fire Department administrative offices are open by appointment only. Call 905-563-8205 or e-mail [email protected] to book appointments.
Lincoln recreation facilities
All indoor rinks, sports and recreation facilities to close during the shutdown until at least Jan. 23. This includes the Fleming Centre, Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre, Lincoln Community Centre and both Lincoln Public Library branches. To register for programs please visit lincoln.ca/recreation. Program start dates will be adjusted based on the most current provincial restrictions. If programs are cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, refunds will be issued.
After the shutdown, the town will consult Niagara Public Health before reopening facilities and restoring the town’s recreation programs.
A warming centre will be open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Fleming Centre.
Parks, playgrounds and trails remain open
The Town is encouraging people to find safe ways to get outside and stay active this winter. Town parks, playgrounds, and trails remain open. Charles Daley Park Beach, sports fields, picnic areas and park washrooms are all closed for the season.
What is open:
- Hilary Bald outdoor rink will remain open, with a capacity limit of 10 on the rink at a time with physical distancing.
- Even outside, people should stay at least two metres away from anyone they don’t live with, and team sports are not permitted during the shutdown.
- Visit lincoln.ca/parks-trails for more information.
Lincoln Public Library
All Lincoln Public Library branches will offer curbside pickup service only. Visit www.lincoln.library.on.ca for hours and guidelines.
Lincoln Museum & Cultural Centre
The Museum will be closed during shutdown. It offers online exhibits and virtual experiences.
Priority Community Services
Here us what to expected from town essential services:
- Hear & Now Mental Health Walk-in Clinic will operate on Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Fleming Centre. This service provides free one-on-one mental health counselling for children and youth up to age 18 in Lincoln. In-person, by appointment only; call 1-800-263-4944.
- The Blood Donor Clinic scheduled for Monday, December 28 at the Lincoln Community Centre is still open, as this is considered an essential service.
- The Town will continue working with Niagara Region and local social service agencies to ensure the community’s most vulnerable have access to service and support during the shutdown. Call 211 within Niagara for community supports.
Transit via NRT OnDemand
Visit the Niagara Region website for more information about NRT OnDemand. In-person ticket sales have been suspended at this time.
Support local and Shop Safe. ShopLincoln.ca
The Town encourages residents to shop where they live as well as ordering online, and using curbside pickup or delivery services. A directory of local shops is here: www.shoplincoln.ca.
During shutdown, in-person shopping is permitted at:
- Supermarkets, grocery and convenience stores primarily selling food; indoor shopping limited to 50% of capacity
- Pharmacies; indoor shopping limited to 50% of capacity
- Other retailers selling groceries, discount stores and big box stores; indoor shopping limited to 25% of capacity
- Beer, wine and liquor stores; indoor shopping limited to 25% of capacity
- Outdoor markets, including farmers’ markets and holiday markets only if they primarily sell food to the public
Other retail:
- Garden centres, plant nurseries will offer curbside pickup or delivery.
- Hardware and safety supply stores: By appointment only, curbside pickup or delivery.
- Motor and recreational vehicles rentals and repair: By appointment only.
Stores must have hand sanitizer at every entrance and limit the number of customers. They must have measures in place to keep people at least two metres apart, and employees and shoppers should be wearing masks.
All personal care services, sports and recreation facilities must be closed during shutdown.
Restaurants and bars
Take out, drive through, and delivery services are permitted; no indoor or outdoor dining is allowed.
Shutdown recommendations
Stay home with the people you live with, as much as possible. No indoor gatherings are permitted at home during the shutdown. Avoid other households. Do not allow visitors in your home. If you live alone, consider you can establish lose contact with only one other household.
- Up to 10 people can gather outdoors if there is room for people who don’t live together to stay two metres apart.
- Up to 10 people can gather indoors or outdoors for religious, wedding and funeral services if there is room for people who don’t live together to stay two metres apart.
- Only go out for work, school, groceries, pharmacy, health care, helping vulnerable people, and physical activity. Work remotely, where possible.
Lincoln bylaw enforcement
To report a concern about gatherings or business not following COVID-19 guidelines, contact Municipal Law Enforcement as follows:
- [email protected]
- 905-563-2799 ext. 289
- For By-law enforcement after hours (after 4:30 p.m. and weekends), please call Niagara Region dispatch line at 905-984-3690 or 1-877-552-5579.