Garage-yard sales being discouraged in Niagara
While not prohibited by the provincial state of emergency, having a garage-yard sale right now is not a good idea and is being strongly discouraged, says Welland’s mayor.
“It’s impractical,” said Frank Campion on Friday.
Campion said having one can put residents holding the sales at great risk of coming into contact with someone who has the COVID-19 virus. “There are issues related to self-distancing and gatherings of more than five people. There are practical issues of whether someone should have hand sanitizer, and you don’t want people touching objects, looking at them and then putting them back down.”
Campion said most residents can’t take credit card or debit card payments and would need exact change for sales.
“We are strongly discouraging people from holding one. If they stayed compliant, they wouldn’t have much of a yard sale.”
Campion said it would be very hard for residents to control and manage the number of people who might come out, as well. “If you have one, pay attention to all best practices. But we feel as a municipality it’s best to hold off and don’t hold one. Sell your items online if you can.”
While the city’s bylaw staff won’t be actively searching for garage sales in Welland, they will respond on a complaint basis and may come across them during regular travels, the mayor said.
The City of Port Colborne and
Town of Pelham are strongly discouraging garage and yard sales as well and are asking residents to hold until emergency orders in place are lifted.
City officials in Niagara Falls are reminding the public to abide by the provincial mandate concerning public gatherings.
“We’re not encouraging people to have a yard sale and garage sales. However, if you are going to have one, we are insisting everyone follow the provincial protocols,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati.
In April, the city “strongly discouraged” such sales, but that stance has been changed to reflect the current climate.
The city recommends leaving items in a locked area for 72 hours to reduce or eliminate the spread of COVID-19.
St. Catharines is also asking residents to skip yard sales this year.
“This year might be one to consider forgoing 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,” says a City of St. Catharines advisory. “A garage sale won't only impact your property, it could impact neighbours, creating concerns for their health and well-being as well.”
Niagara-on-the-Lake is taking a different stance on the sales and said they are commercial activities occasionally permitted subject to regulations in the town’s zoning bylaw, but not currently identified as an essential business.
On its website, it said the sales are considered to unnecessarily encourage contact between individuals and it will not permit them to take place while emergency orders are in place.
It said bylaw enforcement officers will be out monitoring all areas of the town, educating anyone operating a garage or yard sale, and allotting them one hour to shut down.
Municipalities have said if residents do have garage/yard sales they should: limit the number of individuals to five during the sale; ensure the ability to practice physical distancing; limit the physical touching of items for sale; have handwashing or sanitizing available; have items clearly priced, minimizing the need for personal interaction, request exact change whenever possible or consider electronic payment options like e-transfers; and buyers should consider ways to sanitize items before use.