Abstract: A retractable barrier (10) includes an elongate housing (12) having a first end (14), a second end (16), and a slotted opening (18) extending between the first end (14) and the second end (16). A substrate support (20) is rotatably mounted within the housing (12). A barrier substrate (22) is provided of a height substantially equal to a length of the slotted opening (18). The barrier substrate (22) has an attachment end (26) and a free end (24). The barrier substrate (22) is rolled onto the substrate support (20) with the attachment end (26) being attached to the substrate support (20) and the free end (24) extending through the slotted opening (18) of the housing (12) to permit a selected quantity of the barrier substrate (22) to be extended from the housing (12). The barrier substrate (22) is configurable into non-linear configurations by the selectively attaching poles (28) where a change of direction occurs.