#ShopVaughanLocal #ShopLocalON

As Vaughan continues through stage two of the provincial reopening framework, the City is reminding residents that they can do their part to support the local economy by shopping safely with local businesses and restaurants with #ShopVaughanLocal.

On April 9, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua launched the #ShopVaughanLocal campaign. Citizens are encouraged to share their local love using this hashtag on social media to show support for small businesses in Vaughan.

A broader province-wide "Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!" campaign was also launched by the Ontario government on June 30, encouraging Ontarians to support their local small businesses, and to shop safely while doing so, by commenting on social media using #ShopLocalON. The campaign aims to support the business community while highlighting the best practices put in place by businesses to help keep shoppers safe – ensuring that the reopening of Vaughan and across the province continues to be a success. 

To help remind residents to shop safely and to support businesses in this endeavour, York Region is providing tips on how to protect customers and employees when working and shopping and a toolkit for reopening during COVID-19. 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 also released sector-specific guidelines in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These documents help workplaces better understand their responsibilities and includes best practices they can use to help them comply with their legal obligation to protect the health and safety of workers, customers and the public. 

The City of Vaughan remains committed to working with all levels of government to stand up for entrepreneurs and small-business owners, and to maintain the competitiveness of the local economy during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. 

Expanding or establishing a dining patio in Vaughan? 

On June 19, Mayor Bevilacqua issued a first-ever directive under the City’s Emergency Measures By-law to allow local eating establishments and banquet halls to temporarily expand or establish patios while maintaining physical distancing. 

Businesses can begin the process to do this by completing an application form (PDF) and emailing it to bylaw.licensing@vaughan.ca. Only licensed eating establishments and banquet halls are eligible to receive a permit to operate a temporary outdoor patio, which is otherwise not permitted without a permit from the City. 

This was just 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. 

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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