This afternoon, Premier Doug Ford announced the Ontario Government’s gradual, 3-step roadmap to re-open Ontario’s economy, with Step 1 set to begin the week of June 14, 2021.
The plan unveiled today is significantly simplified from the previous colour-coded scheme , which it replaces. Unlike the previous approach, which allowed for different levels of activity based on geography, the new model is sector-based. This means that each new step of the reopening plan will be implemented province-wide, providing greater consistency to people and businesses across the province and discouraging unnecessary travel.
Closely mirroring the 3-step model previously adopted in Saskatchewan, the announced plan assigns vaccination thresholds as a necessary trigger for proceeding to the next stage of reopening. These broadly, although not specifically, reflect recent guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada as to levels of vaccination required for the safe rollback of pandemic restrictions.
Each step will be followed by a 21-day evaluation period, in which provincial health authorities will monitor vaccination rates and key public health indicators to ensure that the province is ready to safely proceed to the next step.
Preceding the start of the 3-step plan, the province announced that beginning on May 22 at 12:01am, many outdoor recreational amenities, including golf courses and tennis courts, will be allowed to reopen with restrictions and physical distancing in place.
The chart below provides an overview of the announced 3-step plan:
Additional details on what is included in each step of the Government’s roadmap can be found here.
Counsel will continue to monitor and keep you updated on the latest news from Queen’s Park.