While much of the province is opening up to Phase 2 in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, the Niagara region remains in Phase 1.

That means businesses such as restaurants, bars, most  shopping malls and personal care services like hairdressers, spas and tanning salons remain closed under provincial orders.

“It’s unfortunate in terms of the economy, that we’re not opening up. However, the premier’s first and primary objective throughout this whole process was to keep people healthy and safe,” said Lord Mayor Betty Disero.

“So he’s got the medical people that he goes to for advice. I don’t here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, so I accept the advice that he’s getting from his medical officer of health. And when they see fit, we will move on to Phase 2,” she said.

“But until then, it allows us to monitor the impact of what’s happening with the openings we have and we continue to prepare for when we do get into Phase 2.”

She said when Niagara enters the next phase, NOTL businesses “may be able to open patio space.”

“We have to try and figure out what that will look like,” she said.

“We now think we have a process that might exist, but now we have to figure out, OK, what is allowable and what isn’t allowable?”

She said the town is continuing to prepare and monitor things for Phase 2.

“So, I’m not upset or jumping up and down. You know, we take it as it comes. Yeah, it’s unfortunate that the restaurants can’t open and some of the hairdressers for sure, but we just keep moving. We take one step at a time until we get through it.”