#ShopVaughanLocal this holiday season
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Support local businesses by shopping online from the safety of home
The holiday shopping season looks different this year with more people staying home and buying gifts online. The City of Vaughan is reminding residents that everything on their shopping lists can be purchased online from local businesses – which continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are many ways to show your local love. Make a difference by:
- ordering takeout or delivery from a local restaurant.
- shopping online from local businesses.
- sharing local love using #ShopVaughanLocal on social media platforms.
- buying gift cards from local businesses to use at a later date.
On Nov. 16, York Region – and Vaughan – moved to the Control-Red level in the Province of Ontario’s tiered Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. The Control-Red level includes broader-scale measures across multiple sectors to control transmission of COVID-19. On Nov. 23, York Region issued a class order (PDF) for requirements businesses and retailers need to follow to help combat COVID-19.
York Region Public Health has provided tips (PDF) on how to protect customers and employees when working and shopping, including using contactless payment if possible. A toolkit (PDF) for safely reopening during COVID-19 is also available. The province has also put forward the principles of the People Outside Safely Together Promise, encouraging small businesses to strictly follow health guidelines and reopen with appropriate measures in place, so consumers can shop safely and with confidence. In addition, the province, in partnership with various health and safety organizations, has released sector-specific guidelines. These documents help workplaces better understand their responsibilities and include best practices on complying with their legal obligation to protect the health and safety of workers, customers and the public throughout the pandemic.
As the virus continues to evolve, the City of Vaughan remains committed to working with all levels of government to stand up for entrepreneurs and small-business owners. Maintaining the competitiveness of the local economy throughout the global pandemic is also a priority.
Launched in April, the #ShopVaughanLocal initiative is one of the many measures introduced by the City to provide relief to the business community and help ease the financial burden caused by COVID-19.
Advisory consultations
The Economic and Cultural Development team continues to offer advisory consultations via tele- or video-conference, email and phone. They also host webinars. For information, additional resources or to book a consultation, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.
Open for Business
The voluntary Open for Business online directory 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.
Vaughan Business Resilience Plan
On June 23, the City launched the Vaughan Business Resilience Plan (PDF) as an immediate and long-term plan to help Vaughan’s business community build capacity to adapt to the post-COVID-19 world.
Through this plan, the Economic and Cultural Development department will:
- help businesses and the economy build resilience.
- build resilience into key economic opportunities and strategic sectors like healthcare, supply-chain and manufacturing, and tourism.
- share Vaughan’s reimagined public spaces within physical distancing guidelines and invite the community to experience Vaughan’s culture and arts.
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 at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
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