White Oaks Operations Update
health_and_safetyCOVID-19 VACCINATION PASSPORTS:
Starting on September 22, 2021, the vaccination passport and photo ID will be required for Ontario residents age 12 and older and wearing a mask is mandatory in indoor spaces.
The specific places and activities limited by this measure inside the hotel are: Play Bar & Grill, LIV Restaurant, meetings/events, pool area and The Club Fitness Facility (gym). The Spa, Hotel Accommodations, Outdoor/In-Room/Take-Out Dining and Hair Salon are excluded.
You will need to show a QR code and photo ID as proof of vaccination against COVID-19. You can show proof in one of three ways: on paper, in a PDF on your mobile device. Whichever method you choose, you must also show photo ID.
People travelling to Ontario must show photo ID and proof issued by their country or Canadian province that they have had two doses of one of the following recognized vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Janssen (only one dose required).
Further to new measures announced by the provincial government, wearing a mask is mandatory in indoor public spaces. It is therefore mandatory to wear a mask inside the hotel at all times. Masks can be removed in the restaurants once you are seated. The regulation applies to everyone aged 12 and up, although children as young as two are also encouraged to wear a mask.
As a reminder, we ask everyone, to please be kind to our team members who have the responsibility to follow and abide by the regulations and protocols that have been mandated by the provincial government. We ask for everyone’s patience as we navigate through this new process.
September 22, 2021. Play Bar & Grill, LIV, and Grow (sit down dining), Conference Centre/Wedding, pool area and the fitness centre. Outdoor dining is exempt from this order (outdoor dining not guaranteed – weather and availability). Yes, these are areas not affected by the new order. Yes, guests will be permitted to use restrooms within our facilities while dining outdoors. Yes, unvaccinated guests will be permitted to pick up takeout orders from out restaurants. 12 years of age. Individuals aged 11 and under will be permitted in these settings. If they are accompanied by an adult the adult must be vaccinated. You can show proof of vaccination in three ways: QR code (once available), Paper copy, PDF copy on their mobile device. The only exemption permitted in these settings for unvaccinated guests are a medical certificate or guests under the age of 12. Yes, a medical certificate will be needed to be granted entry. A medical certificate is not required if the guest is mask exempt. The physician’s or registered nurse in the extended class’s information is complete by including: a) Name and contact information of the physician or registered nurse in the extended class; b) Logo or letterhead identifying the physician or registered nurse in the extended class; c)Statement that there is a medical reason for the individual’s exemption from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19; and d)Any effective time-period for the medical reason which includes the date the patron is seeking access to the business or organization. Photo Identification must be presented (• Birth certificate • Citizenship card • Driver’s licence • Government (Ontario or other) issued identification card, including health card2 • Indian Status Card /Indigenous Membership Card • Passport • Permanent Resident card
Key identifiers when looking at the identification: 1. Name of the identification holder; and 2. Date of birth. Guests must have received two doses plus 14 days of one of the following recognized vaccines: - Pfizer (new name Comirnaty) - Moderna (new name Spikevax) - AstraZeneca (new name Vaxzevria)
- Janssen (only one dose required)
For example: to be fully vaccinated on September 22, 2021 you must have received dose two on September 8, 2021. No, entry will not be permitted into the areas. Guests must have received two doses (plus 14 days) of the above approved vaccines. It is the discretion of the guest to determine whether they would like to disclose their vaccinations status. Should the guest make the decision not to divulge this information, they will not be permitted access into the settings affected by this order (LIV, Play Bar & Grill, Grow (sit down dining). No, a negative COVID19 test or recent rapid testing results will not entitle a guest to enter into these settings.
For weddings between September 22, 2021 and October 12, 2021 people attending a wedding or a funeral at a meeting or event space will be able to provide a negative rapid antigen test from no more than 48 hours before the event as an alternative for unvaccinated guests. No, kids playing a recreational sport do not need to be vaccinated to participate in recreational programs. Parents accompanying the child must be vaccinated to be in the facility. According to Squash Ontario rules all Junior Squash participants must be vaccinated to register in this program. Kids 12 years of age and over using the fitness facility for anything other than a recreational sport need to be vaccinated. Yes, enforcement will be conducted by by-law officers and Ministry of Labour beginning with education and warnings. No, unvaccinated guests staying in the hotel are not permitted to enter the pool area.
White Oaks' mission statement, to treat every guest and team member as though the success of our business depends on that individual alone, has dictated our decisions throughout our forty year history. It defines our team, our culture and how we operate, and is relevant now more than ever. In our post-Covid world, it is with this mission in mind that we launch our new cleaning and safety program, White Oaks Clean Care. Each step, each new task has been developed with the safety of our guests and team members as our top priority.
White Oaks will look and feel different in this post Covid reality. Some of these changes we are making are difficult and will change our service. These have been the hardest decisions for us to make as we are well known in providing experiences that are personalized to each unique guest. We are confident in our ability to work within these new parameters and still find ways to wow you.
Our carefully managed operation comes with stringent new health, safety and hygiene procedures in place. Please review the details and latest information below. Please note some imagery, descriptions and services shown throughout our website do not represent current operational and safety guidelines and may not be available.
White Oaks is Safe Travels Certified by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario for adhering to the highest standard of global health protocols issued by the WTTC
Vaccination Questions:
When is this Effective and what areas are affected on property?
Can unvaccinated guests stay in the hotel and enter the spa?
Can unvaccinated guests dine outdoors?
Can unvaccinated guests pickup takeout orders from LIV or Play?
How old do children have to be to show proof of vaccination?
How can someone show proof of vaccination?
What exemptions will be permitted for access to be granted?
Will a guest have to present a medical certificate to be granted entry?
What information needs to be on the medical certificate?
What other identification must be presented?
What does fully vaccinated mean?
If a guest presents proof of receiving only one dose, will they be permitted entry?
What if the guest refuses to disclose their vaccination status?
Can an unvaccinated guest provide proof of a negative COVID test to be permitted entry?
Do kids over 12 years of age need to be vaccinated if they are playing a recreational sport (Junior Tennis Program)?
Are businesses obligated to follow this order?
Can unvaccinated guests use the pool area?
Things You Will Notice Property Wide:
apiEnhanced Cleaning:
Comprehensive Sanitization Program
While known for our pristine property standards, you will notice heightened cleaning protocols of all high frequency touch points, like elevators, stair railings, door handles and point of sale devices building wide.
Prior to opening, every inch of carpeting/flooring has been sanitized for your safety.
linear_scalePersonal Space:
We've Increased Personal Space
Plexiglass barriers have been installed at main points of contact throughout the resort.
We have also temporarily suspended or limited some of our more high touch services which include, turn down service, valet parking, and shuttle service.
peopleWhite Oaks Team:
Thorough Training & Monitoring
Our team members have been thoroughly trained in their new protocols and will be monitored before every shift to make sure they are healthy and able to work safely. We'll also have more of our team members present to assist and guide you through our property.
Our team have been provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and facial masks will be worn at all times while in the building. All team members will have a daily health assessment done which includes a daily temperature check.
Clean Care Program:
Hotel
- The pool is open. Pool showers and sauna will also be open. Proof of vaccination required.
- Please send one person to the front desk to check you in only. The rest of your party may wait in our front lobby sitting area.
- Upon checkin you will be provided with a sanitized key card for your room
- You will notice that your room will not automatically have the usual amenities such as extra blankets, glassware, guest service directory and reading materials. Robes, cups and wine glasses are individually wrapped. All amenities are still available to you upon request. We wish to ensure you receive any items for your room fully sanitized and clean.
- We will not permit our team members to enter your room once you’ve checked in. If you are staying more than one night, our housekeeping team will not be into your room during your stay to make up the bed or clean. Should you require more towels we will of course be able to deliver them to your room.
- In compliance with the Niagara-on-the-Lake bylaw, masks must be worn in all public spaces.
Meetings & Events
- Meeting spaces can run at 100% capacity with no physical distancing required. Proof of vaccination is required for all indoor meeting spaces. Medical exemptions will be provided for any unvaccinated guests who provide a written document completed by a physician. Social events such as weddings can run at 100% capacity with dancing effective November 15, 2021.
- Our White Oaks team members are trained in new heightened cleaning protocols, taking our already meticulous cleaning practices to a whole new level. Special attention will be made to high touch surfaces and the frequency of cleaning will increase.
- Meeting rooms will be completely sanitized between groups.
- Meals will be offered from our Group Dining and Banquet Menus, and served in our Sunhill Dining Room. Private Dining options are available for all meals at an additional cost. Not quite comfortable doing a public buffet? Speak to your planner for other options.
- Hand sanitizers will be available at each table.
- Meeting planners and groups will be required to wear masks in all public areas in accordance with the provincial bylaw. Our White Oaks team members will be wearing masks in compliance with this bylaw and to keep everyone as safe as possible. Masks will not be mandatory within the meeting rooms.
Our in-house Audio Visual Partner Encore has developed a wonderful program called MEETsafe which outlines best practices. You can download the full pdf.
Our Restaurants
- Indoor dining (including bar and lounge area) is available for any guests that provide proof of vaccination with no group size limitations. Proof of vaccination is not required to dine on our patios. LIV breakfast is available daily, LIV dinner is served Tuesday to Saturday and Play is open daily for lunch and dinner.
- Grow is open in The Club with its regular menu.
- Play Bar & Grill is available for take-out and on Door Dash, Skip the Dishes and Uber Eats.
- Guests will be asked to complete a contact tracing form.
- Mobile ordering option is available for Grow Kitchen & Café and Play Bar & Grill. Order your favourites in advance using our app and pick up at our designated mobile pick up stations.
- Hand Sanitizer stations are available at the entrance to all three restaurants and at tables.
- All menus will be single use or available electronically.
- Any pens we utilize for you to sign your bill will be sanitized prior to your use.
- In LIV Restaurant we will continue with our practice of replacing linens with each guest.
- Room Service Orders will be delivered to your room with one time use condiments. We will knock on your door and leave your order for you to collect for contactless delivery.
The Spa at White Oaks
- All guests will be required to complete a covid-19 health survey upon arrival. Our top priority is keeping our guests and team members safe therefore failure to comply with our safety procedures may result in a rescheduling of your appointment.
- All treatments are available in Step 3.
- If you begin to feel unwell prior to your appointment please call to reschedule. There will be no cancellation charges at this time.
- Facial Masks will be worn by our team and will be mandatory for spa guests for the duration of your visit. You'll be informed when to remove for facial services.
- We are practicing safe social distant guidelines and due to limited seating space in our waiting area, we will stagger our arrival times. You will be provided with instructions for your arrival.
- The lounge room will be used for short term seating while awaiting your service. No food or beverage will be permitted in this area.
- Showers, locker & robe service will remain unavailable at this time.
- Our manicure and pedicure stations have been safely divided by plexiglass.
- As is our normal practice, all nail services receive your bottle of polish, and nail files/buffers in a sealed bag when you depart.
- Please refrain from bringing your purse or large bags with you to your appointment.
- You may handle products on the shelves as long as hands have been sanitized.
- Our team will be wearing personal protective equipment.
- Appointments will be spaced out to ensure our team have sufficient time to sanitize stations or treatment rooms between guests.
- You will notice a plexi glass divider at our reception desk.
- Complimentary water station in the relaxation room will not be set up however, still available upon request to the spa attendant.
- Our Sips and Bites menu is unavailable at this time.
- All magazines and reading material has been removed from our relaxation areas.
- In-store shopping is permitted but curbside pickup for gift certificates and products will still be available on request.
The Club at White Oaks
- The Club is open for guests providing proof of vaccination. Medical exemptions will be provided for any unvaccinated guests who provide a written document completed by a physician.
- Full details of The Club protocols can be found on the Club Page.
- Members entering the club will be screened at entrance for covid related symptoms.
- The club is intensively cleaned and all areas are thoroughly sanitized.
- In compliance with the Niagara on the lake bylaw, masks must be worn in all public spaces which will include the club public spaces, and locker rooms. Masks can be removed while working out only.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout.
- Class will require advance booking.
- Racquet sports are now available to members and guests.
- Class schedules have been altered to allow for proper cleaning in between classes.
- There will be Weight room attendants to wipe down all machines and we are asking everyone to wipe down your machines and weights before and after use.
- Towel service is not currently available.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are Your Pool Hours & Regulations?
The pool, hot tub and sauna are open as of Step 3. Proof of vaccination required.
What are Changes for Wine Tours on Your Shuttle?
Wine "Tastings Only" tours will be available. Shuttle capacity will be reduced. All team members and guests are required to wear masks at all times. Screening prior to loading the shuttle will be conducted by the shuttle driver and full contact tracing information will be required to be completed by each guest for each winery in accordance by public health guidelines. Hand sanitizer - prior to entering the shuttle, wineries or restaurants, all guests will be required to use hand sanitizer provided at each stop before entering and exiting each establishment. Each guest will be encouraged to handle their own purchases. Beer Tours are temporarily unavailable at this present time.
Is Proof of Vaccination Required at White Oaks
Starting on September 22, 2021, a vaccination passport and photo ID will be required for Ontario residents age 12 and older. The places and activities inside the hotel requiring full vaccination are: Play Bar & Grill, LIV Restaurant (excluding outdoor patios, private dining, delivery and takeout), meetings/events, pool area and The Club Fitness Facility (gym). The vaccine passport is not required for The Spa at White Oaks, hotel accommodation itself and hair salon.
Find Us Here
Address
- White Oaks Resort & Spa
- 253 Taylor Road SS4
- Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
- Canada L0S 1J0
Contact
- Resort: 1-800-263-5766
- The Club: 905-688-2550
- The Spa: 905-641-2599
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