Niagara Falls welcomes visitors during first day of summer
Destination sees steady stream of visitors, but not as busy as is typical
Kaitlyn Grant and her three-year-old son, Korben, have been in lockdown since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Niagara.
So, on Saturday — the first day of summer with ideal weather — the Niagara Falls resident decided to take a bike ride with her son along Niagara Parkway and enjoy the falls.
But when she arrived and learned many of those surrounding her were from the Greater Toronto Area, parts of which remain in Stage 1 of the province’s reopening plan. Grant said she was worried.
Niagara moved into Stage 2 of Ontario’s reopening plan Friday.
Grant said she can understand why people who have been largely stuck in their homes for months are itching to get out. But she wishes GTA residents would stay there until their communities make similar progress to Niagara when it comes to COVID-19.
“It’s a tough thing because I know for the economy, I know for even local businesses, we so heavily rely on tourism, and I don’t want to see these businesses collapse,” said Grant, who was wearing a mask.
“But I’m also concerned if people aren’t taking the proper precautions
— if they’re coming from Toronto, but they’re not wearing masks, they’re not practising social distancing, they’re not taking it seriously, it’s a worry because to go through this again where everyone gets on lockdown because people (are) coming from places that they’re not in Phase 2, they’re not ready to open up, it’s frustrating.”
Grant said she kept her visit to the area of Niagara Parkway between the American and Horseshoe falls and was regularly “wiping down.”
“We’ve been pretty much on lockdown from March, so I’m trying to get out there because for your mental sanity, you need to get out a little bit.”
Saturday saw a steady stream of visitors to the heart of Niagara Falls’ tourism district, but not anything like what is typically seen on a nice summer day.
Many businesses were open, however, some remained closed as they need more time to meet further requirements.
Floor markings were throughout the district asking visitors to stand two metres apart, while staff at businesses could be seen wearing masks.
Most visitors were not wearing masks and while some tried to practice safe distancing, it was not possible in certain tight-spaced areas with crowds.
Many of those visiting said they were not worried about COVID-19.
Raphael Ossai, his wife and two children, visited from Milton and explored the area around the falls to see what was open.
“We’ve been indoors all through the COVID period,” said Ossai, adding it was his first visit to the city.
“We just felt, since the weather is good and considering Niagara is open, I think it’s the right time for us to just come out.”
Rohan Rowe, his wife and two children, visited from Brampton.
“We have to get out, enjoy the sunshine,” he said, adding the family planned to walk around the attractions, get some ice cream and enjoy some of the open patios. “We have to live. You can’t be bottled up forever. Just follow the safety precautions, and I think we’re all good.”
Tyler Wilson, from Ottawa, and his girlfriend, Rayne Dunphy, from Barrie, included Niagara Falls on their weekend road trip.
“We’re literally just stopping in for like an hour,” said Wilson. “We just came to see the falls. We’re not planning on stopping in on anything.”
He said the couple plan to come back to the city once more businesses open.