By-law team focused on public safety as some businesses reopen

May 13, 2020 10:00 a.m.
COVID-19 Updates
 
City of Vaughan news is released on a daily basis and kept on vaughan.ca for reference purposes. For the most recent updates and news as they happen, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the official corporate channels on and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

 

​Physical distancing and parking regulations will be the priority

 
The City of Vaughan’s By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services team is prepared to keep the community safe as some retail businesses receive the green-light to reopen by the Government of Ontario.
 
Effective May 11, the Province has allowed retail businesses with a street entrance to reopen for curbside pickup and delivery. This will include stores located on street level that open into parking areas, such as plazas that front onto a public street. To ensure public safety, Vaughan enforcement officers will increase monitoring in these areas for parking infractions – especially blocking fire routes – as well as violations of physical distancing requirements.
 
This is in line with the Emergency Measures By-law approved by Vaughan Council on April 8. The by-law provides further authority, subject to the Municipal Act, to the Mayor and City of Vaughan staff to issue responsive, timely and effective orders during this state of emergency. Failure to comply with this by-law is an offence and subject to fines ranging from $500 to $100,000.
 
Any inquiries about retail businesses can be directed to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
 
The By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services team continues to work closely with Public Health officials, York Regional Police and the City’s Economic and Cultural Development department to ensure public safety remains the top priority throughout the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The City of Vaughan remains committed to supporting local businesses and has implemented a series of measures to provide relief to the community.
 
Open for business
 
The City of Vaughan has launched ‘Open for Business’ – an online directory, which lists local businesses that are open during the current state of emergency.
 
The voluntary listing includes both essential services and businesses that are open or providing modified operations by phone, online, takeout or delivery in compliance with provincial and municipal regulations. Vaughan businesses interested in being included in the list must apply and can do so through this online form.
 
The list – which is available at vaughan.ca/COVID19 – is updated regularly.
 
#ShopVaughanLocal
 
On April 9, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua launched the #ShopVaughanLocal campaign.
Residents looking to do their part to support the local economy can do so by shopping remotely from local businesses and restaurants. Citizens are encouraged to do any of the following to show their support for small businesses in Vaughan:
 
  • Order takeout or delivery from a local restaurant
  • Buy gift cards for use at a later date
  • Order from local businesses online
  • Share your local love #ShopVaughanLocal
  • Access government supports for businesses at vaughanbusiness.ca
Vaughan Business Action Plan
 
On March 17, the City launched the Vaughan Business Action Plan, which includes a series of measures to support businesses, consumers and all citizens. The City’s Economic and Cultural Development department is available to support local businesses and entrepreneurs online or by phone to help access resources from the Government of Canada and the provincial government.
 
Business licence renewals
 
A grace period of 90 days has also been established for business licence renewals. Licensees may defer renewal of their existing business licence up to 90 days past the expiry date of their licence. New businesses are still required to be licensed. New licence applications may be submitted by email to bylaw@vaughan.ca, along with scanned copies of required documentation. Payments can be made by cheque and mailed to Vaughan City Hall at 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr., Vaughan, ON, L6A 1T1.
 
To receive the City’s latest COVID-19 updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
 
Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
 
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