What’s opening as our region enters Stage 2 of re-opening

Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand-Norfolk and Halton are among the regions that will move into stage two of re-opening on Friday.

All regions in Ontario, except Toronto, Peel and Essex-Windsor have been given the green light to loosen restrictions.

Stage 2 means restaurants and bars, including wineries and breweries, shopping centres, community centres and salons can open as long as safety and physical distancing precautions are in place.

Parks are open but playground equipment remains off-limits under the province’s emergency orders.

Hamilton:

Hamilton’s bars and restaurants can open for dining in but only in outdoor areas, including patios, curbside and parking lots. The city is allowing restaurants to apply to take over areas around their locations in order to accommodate more diners.

Almost all of the city’s spray pads will be turned on by Friday.

Indoor and outdoor pools will begin opening the week of July 6.

Niagara:

Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod will be in Niagara Falls Friday as part of a province-wide aimed at boosting tourism.

The St. Catharines Farmers Market will open Saturday with an expanded footprint to make it easier to maintain safety requirements.

Barricades at Sunset Beach and the beach at Lakeside Park will come down Friday but won’t be fully open until June 26, to coincide with Niagara Region water testing.

St. Catharines splash pads will open on July 1.

Extra safety precautions are in place, including modified hours and limiting the number of people allowed at a time.

Haldimand-Norfolk

Piers in Norfolk County will re-open but Port Dover Beach will remain closed.

Officials say at this point, they can’t ensure proper physical distancing given the popularity of the site.

County staff will continue to prepare the beach for a full opening at a later date.

Beaches at Turkey Point Provincial Park and Long Point Provincial Park will open Friday with special measures taken to ensure physical distancing.

Officials say maintaining physical distancing is key.

When that’s not possible, people should wear a mask.

Anyone who is not feeling well or showing symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home.