As a leader in the tourism and hospitality community, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island recognizes our role and responsibility in ensuring the health and safety of our partners as well as visitors to Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island. At this time, we are following recommendations from our municipal, provincial and federal governments to implement safety precautions and reviewing how we proceed. We are working proactively to support our region during this time, and will continue to share information as it is received from our partners.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Updates & VISITOR INFORMATION
For our teams personal health and safety the Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island offices are closed, and some staff are working remotely during this time. General inquiries can be sent to 519-255-6530, as messages will be checked frequently during regular business hours. You can also contact info@tourismwindsoressex.com for any inquiries.
Any of our remote Visitor Information Centres (including the Caesars Windsor kiosk) are temporarily closed, and will reopen at a later date.
Mandatory Face Masks
Effective Friday June 26th at 12:01am, anyone entering a commercial business should wear a face mask in Windsor & Essex County. Commercial businesses include any place that that is open to the public and offer goods and/or services for sale, such as retail stores, convenience stores, malls and plazas, restaurants, personal service settings, grocery stores and bakeries, gas stations, farmers’ markets, mechanic shops, and car dealerships. Those entering and not wearing a mask may be declined service and asked to leave the premises.
Businesses are also required to provide alcohol based hand rub at entrance and exit points. For full details on the rules please click here.
REGIONAL REOPENING
As of Thursday June 25th at 12:01am the Windsor Essex region, less Leamington and Kingsville, has been permitted to enter Stage 2 of the Province’s Reopening Ontario framework. Some attractions, such as live music and theatre venues remain closed.
The city has cancelled all special events through July 1. Several accommodation providers within our city are closed. Please ensure you check the status of operations with businesses directly. Social gatherings are limited to 10 people. Non-essential in-person gatherings of any size continue to be strongly discouraged.
Ontario has extended all emergency orders in force under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until July 15, 2020.
As of June 25, 2020, businesses and services permitted to reopen, include:
- Outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties
- Select personal and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons
- Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for take-out and outdoor dining only
- Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries
- Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools
- Beach access and additional camping at Ontario Parks
- Camping at private campgrounds
- Outdoor-only recreational facilities and training for outdoor team sports, with limits to enable physical distancing
- Drive-in and drive-through venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations
- Film and television production activities, with limits to enable physical distancing
- Weddings and funerals, with limits on social gatherings to 10 people
For more details please click here.
Border Crossing
For information on international border crossing and how COVID-19 is impacting travel please click crossingmadeeasy.com. Effective 12:01 am March 21, 2020, entry in to Canada is prohibited to non-essential travel, and only to residents of Canada and the United States and/or immediate family planning to visit. Entry will not be permitted to all other foreign nationals.
CURRENT CAMPAIGNS
All bars, nightclubs and restaurants in Windsor & Essex County remain closed, except those providing take-out service or delivery. Check out our helpful guides (below) on locations still open in our region offering service.
For a list of restaurants and other establishments providing food take-out and delivery service please click here, including details on #TakeOutTuesday.
For a list of wineries offering pick-up and delivery service please click here, including details on #WineOrderWednesday.
For a list of breweries & distilleries offering pick-up and delivery service please click here, including details on #FillUpFriday.
Join in the positive vibe in the region – and share your good news pictures and stories about Windsor Essex with us on Facebook, Twitter and InstaGram using #YQGStandsStrong. Click here for details.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Province of Ontario continues to relax social distancing measures and various businesses in the region are permitted to operate at various scopes of service levels. For more details on businesses permitted to currently operate please click here.
- Devonshire Mall is open, though some stores may be currently closed. Updated mall hours are Monday to Saturday 11am until 6pm Sunday 11am to 5pm. Click here for more details and a list of open retailers.
- Tecumseh Mall is open, though some stores may be currently closed. Updated mall hours are Monday to Friday 11am to 7pm, Saturday 11am to 6pm, Sunday 11pm to 5pm (closed Sunday June 28th). Click here for more details and a list of open retailers.
- Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets is open. The mall will be open 11am until 6pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm Sunday. Click here for more details and a list of open retailers.
- VIA Rail is operating at reduced capacity
- Windsor International Airport is temporarily closed due to all servicing airlines restricting their flight services. Please contact the airport or airlines directly for additional questions.
- Owen Sound Transportation is operating ferry service between Pelee Island and Leamington at 50% capacity. Advanced reservations required. Learn more: ontarioferries.com and 511on.ca.
- Municipalities are offering varying forms of recreational services and access to parks, splash pads and municipal facilities. Please contact each municipality directly as operations and access are changing daily.
- Adventure Bay Family Water Park is temporarily closed
- Caesars Windsor is temporarily closed
Steps To Prevent Illness
Our local health authority, The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is recommending that in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus individuals should:
- wash hands frequently and avoid facial contact;
- avoid contact with sick individuals;
- stay home from work when ill;
- ensure to properly clean high-touch surfaces, especially in your public spaces like washrooms, restaurants, elevators and work spaces;
- where possible, consider making alcohol-based hand sanitizer available for your guests and employees.
As the situation continues to evolve quickly, we encourage you to reference the Windsor Essex County Health Unit website for the latest regional updates.
STAKEHOLDER RESOURCES
For an update list of RESOURCES, WEBINARS and HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS for local businesses please check out our COVID-19 RESOURCE HUB.
