Get ready for winter with #ShopVaughanLocal

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Get ready for winter with #ShopVaughanLocal

11/6/2021 10:00 AM

Everything you need to stay warm and cozy is available in Vaughan

The leaves are falling, the air is crisp and many of us are pulling out our cozy sweaters, jackets and scarves. Whether you need to update your winter wardrobe or get a head start on Black Friday shopping, the City of Vaughan is reminding residents to #ShopVaughanLocal.

Show your support for local businesses by:

shopping in-person, online or curbside at a local business.
buying gift cards from local stores.
ordering takeout or delivery from a Vaughan restaurant or café.
dining safely in a restaurant in the city.
sharing the local love by using #ShopVaughanLocal on social media.

The Ontario government continues to lift public health measures in response to COVID-19. On Oct. 25, as part of its A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term (PDF), Ontario lifted capacity limits in the vast majority of settings where proof of vaccination is required, such as restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments; indoor areas of sports and recreational facilities, such as gyms and where personal physical fitness trainers provide instruction; casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and indoor meeting and event spaces. Limits were also lifted in certain outdoor settings.

Proof of vaccination

As of Sept. 22, Ontarians are required to be fully vaccinated (PDF) with proof of vaccination along with ID to access certain public settings and facilities – including restaurants and eating establishments. The enhanced vaccine certificate with an official QR code and the free Verify Ontario app are now available for download, making it easier, more secure and convenient for individuals to provide proof of vaccination where required to do so.

The following proof of identification is acceptable for those aged 18 years and older (note: photo ID is not required):

Birth certificate
Citizenship card
Driver’s licence
Government (Ontario or other) issued identification card, including health card
Indian Status Card/Indigenous Membership Card
Passport
Permanent Resident card

Open for Business

To help you find the right stores or businesses, visit the City’s Open for Business online directory, which includes many services and Vaughan-based businesses that are open or providing modified operations in-person, by phone, online, takeout or delivery in compliance with provincial regulations. Vaughan businesses interested in being included in the list may apply through this online form.

As COVID-19 continues to evolve, the City remains committed to working with all levels of government to support entrepreneurs and small business owners. Maintaining the competitiveness of the local economy throughout the pandemic is a priority. The #DineVaughanLocal and #ShopVaughanLocal initiative and Open for Business directory are just a few of the many measures introduced by the City to provide relief to the business community and ease the financial burden caused by COVID-19. Here are some other examples:

Consumer confidence

Vaughan businesses can reassure a safe dine-in and shop-in customer experience through two consumer confidence identifiers: the POST Promise and the Safe Travels Stamp. These nationally and internationally recognized identifiers are visual cues acknowledging that the business is working to prevent the spread of COVID-19, following public health measures and supporting a safe return to in-store experiences.

How to apply:

Make the POST Promise – a self-declaration for any type of business through a national not-for-profit corporation that was built specifically for this effort. Taking the POST Promise is a pre-requisite for the Safe Travels Stamp and the Vaughan Safe Travels Toolkit.
Apply for the Safe Travels Stamp and Vaughan Toolkit – a nationally recognized program for tourism businesses, including restaurants, through the World Travel and Tourism Corporation and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). To apply, complete the Safe Travels Stamp application. Once confirmation from TIAO is received, email tourism@vaughan.ca to request the Vaughan Safe Travels Toolkit. This kit includes marketing assets to share the stamp on your business’ website, social media channels, e-newsletter, counter signs, window decals and more, all shipped free of charge.

Increasing consumer confidence is part of an economic resiliency strategy for the City’s Economic and Cultural Development department, including Tourism Vaughan. For more information and to apply, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/ConsumerConfidence. The City is also reminding businesses that a business licence may be required to operate within Vaughan.

Vaughan Business Resilience Plan

On June 23, 2020, 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-pandemic world. Through this plan, the Economic and Cultural Development department will continue to:

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.

For more information, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/COVID.

Advisory consultations

The Economic and Cultural Development department offers advisory consultations via tele- or video-conference, email and phone. The team is also hosting educational webinars. For information, additional resources or to book a consultation, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.

To stay informed on the City of Vaughan’s latest business resources and initiatives, entrepreneurs can sign up for the Economic and Cultural Development department’s eNewsletters at vaughanbusiness.ca/enewsletters.

For more information, visit the City’s COVID-19 webpage at vaughan.ca/COVID19.

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. For additional information and resources on the virus, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.

For updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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