Township advises residents to take Covid-19 precautions when hosting garage sales

COURTNEY McCLURE, for The Standard

UXBRIDGE: Have you thought about starting up a garage sale this summer? Well, according to the Uxbridge Township, you’d better hold off.

During Victoria Day week, the Township of Uxbridge was cautioning people against hosting garage sales for now. Garage sales in Uxbridge and surrounding areas usually start around May because the weather typically becomes warm and sunny.

Currently, garage sales aren’t permitted, beneath the restrictive Covid-19 guidelines set by the province.

Although, the Township of Uxbridge’s Director of Legislative Services, and Clerk, Debbie LeRoux, said she hasn’t noticed any garage sales popping up in Uxbridge.

If Ontario’s Covid-19 cases go down, they could grant permission to allow garage sales. Ms. LeRoux said when, or if, this happens this summer, the Township of Uxbridge has a few recommendations to help keep residents of Uxbridge safe while seeking a bargain.

Some of the common practices they suggested include washing your hands with soap and water and using hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands. Likewise, people are encouraged to sneeze or cough into their elbow or sleeve, turned away from other people.

Suppose you are at a garage sale, specifically. In that case, the Township suggests carrying a small bottle of hand sanitizer on your person or keeping some in your car. This is because the Covid-19 virus is not only transmitted through sneezing but it is also transmitted through touch.

If you’re preparing for a garage sale, as you are the host, clean and disinfect surfaces and items accordingly, so as not to pass on germs. Everyone is encouraged to, and should, wear a non-medical mask, especially if circumstances make it difficult to abide by social distancing measures and keep six feet apart.

People hosting garage sales must ensure gathering limits are not exceeded, and ensure all participants are wearing masks. Masks should cover your nose, mouth, and chin.

If you do not follow these rules, you are at risk of receiving a ticket or summons under the Reopening Ontario Act and a subsequent fine under the Act, as well.

Since the provincial government chooses when and why Ontario reopens, the Township has provided a link to this roadmap, outlining approximate timelines for when some businesses and activities will reopen.

You can check out the website here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1000159/roadmap-to-reopen. Or visit the Ontario government’s website at Ontario.ca and check out the newsroom section of the website. The roadmap was created on May 20th, 2021 and is available for public reference.

https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1000159/roadmap-to-reopen