Cottage season is upon us, but as we are still under the Stay-At-Home order, the Chamber of Commerce in Grand Bend and Area wants to remind people that cottage rentals and hotel or motel stays for leisure are not allowed.
Susan Mills, the General Manager for the Grand Bend and Area Chamber of Commerce sent out a document provided by Lambton Public Health, which outlines what is allowed and what is not when it comes to overnight stays for non-locals. work, emergency housing, and general maintenance on your own property within a 24 period are a few of these exceptions.
As for when cottage rentals could be coming back, nothing is confirmed yet, but Mills says that phase 1, which starts June 14th, of the reopening plan is what is expected.
Below are the general guidelines provided in Susan Mill’s email with the extended Lambton Health Unit document.
In short – there should be NO short term rentals of any kind:
– no travel / accommodation for leisure of ANY kind
– hotels/motels can provide accommodation for those traveling for WORK, QUARANTINE or HOMELESS people (i.e. emergency shelter)
– cottages/cabins are ONLY allowed to provide emergency shelter
– cottage owners visiting their own cottages – cottage owners are allowed to go to their OWN cottage for up to 24 hours to perform necessary maintenance (landscaping, gardening, maintenance etc). If the cottage owner plans on living at their cottage for more than 14 days consecutively, they are allowed to do so (i.e. moving in for the summer months).
– Indoor and Outdoor gatherings with anyone outside your HOUSEHOLD are not allowed.
Enforcement
Owners and renters must be able to prove they are visiting for essential purposes. Fines for violations are $880 for each offence.