Effective Monday, November 23, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., Toronto and Peel regions will be moving into the lockdown (grey) level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. The lockdown is to stay in effect for a minimum of 28 days.
Ontario is reporting 1,418 new positive COVID-19 cases today. Locally, there are 400 new cases in Peel, 393 in Toronto and 168 in York Region. The province conducted nearly 48,200 tests.
Ontario is also extending orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) until December 21, 2020.
Public Health Measures and Restrictions under Lockdown Level
Organized Public Events, Social Gatherings, and Religious Services, Rites and Ceremonies
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- No indoor organized public events or social gatherings except with members of the same household.
- Individuals who live alone, including seniors, may consider having exclusive, close contact with one other person;
- Outdoor organized public events or social gatherings limited to a maximum of 10 people;
- Wedding services, funeral services and religious services, rites or ceremonies where physical distancing can be maintained can have up to 10 people indoors or 10 people outdoors;
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Measures for Retail
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- Retail permitted to be open for curbside pickup or delivery only (in-person retail shopping not permitted) with some exceptions:
- Supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, hardware stores, discount and department store-type retailers, beer and wine and liquor stores, pharmacies and safety supply stores permitted to be open for in-person shopping
- 50% capacity limits in retail outlets permitted to open for in-person shopping
- Motor vehicle sales permitted to be open for in-person shopping by appointment only and other safety restrictions
- Garden centres, plant nurseries: indoor by appointment. Permitted if public remains outdoors or by curbside pick-up or delivery
- Outdoor markets permitted
- Retail outlets in malls permitted to be open for curbside pick-up or delivery only (in-person retail shopping not permitted); full access to businesses and organizations permitted to be open (e.g., pharmacy, dentist); food court open for take-away
- Requirement to maintain 2m while standing in line
- Retail permitted to be open for curbside pickup or delivery only (in-person retail shopping not permitted) with some exceptions:
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Libraries
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- Libraries are open for contactless curbside, delivery, and pick-up
- Patrons permitted to enter libraries for contactless drop-off and pick-up, and to access computers, photocopiers, or similar services.
- May open for permitted services (e.g., child care services, AA meetings)
- No classes
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Measures for Restaurants, Bars and Food or Drink Establishments
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- Indoor and outdoor service prohibited
- Take out, drive through, and delivery permitted, including sale of alcohol
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Schools and Child Care
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- Schools, before and after school programs, and child care will remain open;
- Post-secondary schools open for virtual learning with some limited exceptions for training that can only be provided in-person, such as clinical training or training related to a trade.
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A complete list of measures for other sectors under the lockdown level can be found here.
The Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework is linked to previous orders under stage 1. Please refer to O. Reg. 82/20, for a complete list of businesses and organizations designated as essential services. If your business or organization is listed in O. Reg. 82/20, you must also check the framework document for any additional measures that have been issued.
Businesses that can remain open include but are not limited to:
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- Regulated health professionals;
- Vehicle and equipment rental services;
- Vehicle and equipment repair and essential maintenance;
- IT and telecommunications services;
- Financial services;
- Real estate agent services;
- Construction and renovation;
- Warehousing and supply chain businesses;
- Manufacturing of all types;
- Transportation;
- Agriculture and food production;
- Housekeeping and domestic services;
- Funeral and related services;
- Businesses that primarily sell food, beverages and consumer products necessary to maintain households and businesses.
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If you are uncertain about how the regulations and new lockdown requirements apply to your business or a particular service, contact one of the Counsel team member and we will provide further detail or seek clarification.
Other Regions
The following public health unit regions will also move from their current level in the framework to the following levels effective Monday, November 23, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.:
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- Red-Control
- Durham Region Health Department; and
- Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services.
- Orange-Restrict
- Huron Perth Public Health;
- Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit;
- Southwestern Public Health; and
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
- Yellow-Protect
- Chatham-Kent Public Health;
- Eastern Ontario Health Unit;
- Grey Bruce Health Unit;
- Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health;
- Peterborough Public Health; and
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
- Red-Control
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For more information on the remaining regions across Ontario, click here. In addition to the provincial health measures, some municipalities and local medical officers of health have added their own regional restrictions or requirements. Check your local public health unit or municipality’s website for details using the links provided here.
Additional Supports Available for Businesses Affected by COVID-19 Public Health Measures
The government also announced that they doubling their support to $600 million in relief to support eligible businesses required to close or significantly restrict their services. A detailed list of eligible businesses, as well as instructions for applying, can be found at Ontario.ca/covidsupport.