Niagara Falls is closing doors to a long list of city facilities in the wake of COVID-19.

The city said Friday that “effective immediately” it has closed:

• Coronation 50 Plus Recreation Centre (5925 Summer St)
• Chippawa Willoughby Arena (9000 Sodom Rd)
• Niagara Falls History Museum (5810 Ferry St)
• All March Break programming at the Niagara Falls History Museum is cancelled.
• City of Niagara Falls Customer Service desk at MacBain Community Centre (7150 Montrose Rd)
• Niagara Falls Ryerson Innovation Hub (4551 Zimmerman Ave)
• All branches of the Niagara Falls Public Library
• All March Break programming at the Niagara Falls Public Library is cancelled.

The city will also close the Gale Centre arena effective Saturday, following the conclusion of the scheduled tournament: 

City hall will remain open from 8:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, however, residents are being encouraged to communicate with city staff via email or telephone.

Niagara Falls Transit, WEGO services and intermunicipal transit will continue to operate on a regular schedule.

“The city is exercising an abundance of caution, moving forward with closures of recreational and community facilities to limit spread of the virus,” said a city release Friday.

“The health and welfare of our staff, residents and visitors is a top priority for the city of Niagara Falls as we are following the ever changing impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We have full confidence in our local healthcare system and are committed to working closely with local hospitals, health care and community partners, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and national partners to monitor and respond accordingly to the COVID-19 situation.”

The city is asking the public to not attend any city facility if they are sick or have travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days and to avoid unnecessary visits to city facilities. Members of the public who must attend a city facility are being asked to keep a distance of approximately six feet or two metres from others when possible.

Up to date information on the city’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, including further closures, can be found at www.niagarafalls.ca/covid19

Preventive measures

Niagara Falls is taking a number of additional measures to prevent the spread of germs and viruses: 

• City staff are not permitted to attend meetings or conferences where the Government of Canada has issued Active Travel Health Notices.
• Meetings have been cancelled when possible, and webinars/conference calls will be implemented.
• Health and safety tips have been communicated to staff to reinforce the importance of proper hand washing and hygiene protocols as the best defense against COVID-19, colds, and influenza.
• Staff are required to stay home when they or their immediate family members are sick.
• Protocols are in place for staff returning from affected areas.
• Facilities management is ensuring soap dispensers are replenished and are in good working order, and additional hand sanitizer stations are located throughout city facilities.
• Increased signage to create awareness of good hygiene and disease prevention has been added to all facilities.
• Increased cleaning in facilities of high touch areas including banisters, handles, elevator buttons and door knobs.
• Increased cleaning of city buses by disinfecting high frequency touch points, such as handles and doors using a long-acting antimicrobial agent
• Online payment options for municipal services are encouraged.