FORT ERIE (May 7, 2020) The Town of Fort Erie strongly discourages hosting of garage sales at this time. While Provincial Emergency Orders don’t prohibit yard sales, the orders do prohibit gatherings of any more than five individuals. Furthermore, the Town, and Niagara Region Public Health advise against non-essential travel and activities.
With so many staying at home, working from home and having additional time, many residents will be undertaking a spring clean, and with it may want to partake in hosting a yard sale to dispose of unwanted items.
This year, residents might want to consider foregoing the yard sale, given the COVID-19 transmission risks associated with individuals congregating on the lawn, not only to your household, but to those who attend. Instead individuals should consider selling items online through portals such as Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
The Niagara Regional Police offer an Internet Transaction Zone outside the Unit 3 Detachment on Lincoln Street in Welland, providing a safe space for buyers and sellers to meet for online sales. Individuals who still choose to host a garage sale should endeavor to limit the spread of COVID-19 by:
- Limiting the total number of individuals in attendance to no more than five, themselves included. This must be done to remain in compliance with Provincial Emergency Orders
- Ensure the ability to practice physical distancing of at least two metres for all in attendance
- Provide for hand washing / sanitizing
- Limit physical touching of items for sale
- Clearly mark prices to limit the need for personal interactions
- Consider using electronic payment methods such as e-transfers
- Request exact change
To read more about the Town’s COVID-19 response, please visit www.forterie.ca/pages/Covid19News. In addition, residents should monitor the Town’s social media channels and subscribe for Fort Erie COVID-19 alerts and news.
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