Premier Doug Ford, joined by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, and Dr. Naveed Mohammad, President and CEO, William Osler Health System, announcing the province wide shutdown of Ontario.
Listen here
The information contained on this page is intended to communicate a summary of information about measures proposed to come into effect in Ontario or in areas of Ontario at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2020.
The material is not legal advice and does not purport to be or to provide an interpretation of the law. In the event of any conflict or difference between this summary information and any applicable legislation or regulation, the legislation or regulation prevails.
Context: Province-wide Shutdown
• Based on the latest modelling data, cases are expected to continue to grow, with multiple models predicting rates of at least 1,500 cases per day for several weeks under current restrictions. Daily mortality is also increasing.
• There has been a significant reduction in people staying home, especially when compared to the Spring. Patterns also continue to show trends of people moving across public health unit regions.
• Escalating case counts have led to increasing hospitalization rates and capacity challenges in many large urban hospitals, which has resulted in new disruptions to scheduled surgeries and procedures.
o Hospitalizations have increased by 74% over the past four weeks (leading up to Dec. 21) and the number of COVID- 19 patients in ICU is above the 150-person threshold
o Some hospitals have been directed to defer in-person care that is not time-sensitive to ensure surge capacity
• Public health and other experts have expressed significant concerns that the current transmission trends, combined with the potential high levels of mobility from social and consumer activity over the holiday period, could overwhelm health care and public health sector capacity in the new year.
• A provincewide shutdown will help interrupt or slow current community transmission, reduce mobility and allow our health care and public health systems that are reaching critical limits and to recover briefly and catch-up.
• The following slides outline sector-specific restrictions that will be put in place under the Provincewide Shutdown.
Overview: Timing and Geographical Application
When does the Province wide Shutdown start?
The restrictions start at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2020.
Where, and how long, are the Province wide Shutdown restrictions in effect?
The restrictions are in effect for all of Ontario from Saturday, December 26, 2020 to Saturday, January 9, 2021. The restrictions would remain in effect from Saturday, January 9, 2021 to Saturday, January 23, 2021 for all 27 public health unit regions in Southern Ontario (refer to Appendix A).
General Public Health and Workplace Safety Measures for all Businesses, Organizations and Facilities
Public Health Advice, Recommendations and Instructions
Businesses or organizations must operate in compliance with the advice, recommendations, and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting, and working remotely. Check with your local public health unit for any additional advice, recommendations or instructions.
Physical Distancing and Line Management
• Businesses or places must not permit patrons to line up inside the businesses or place, or to line up or congregate outside of the business or place unless they are maintaining a physical distance of at least two metres from other groups of persons and wearing a mask or face covering that covers their mouth, nose and chin unless they are entitled to an exception set out in the regulation.
Screening
Businesses or organizations must operate in compliance with the advice, recommendations instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening individuals. This includes:
• Workplaces must screen any workers or essential visitors entering the work environment. See the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces for more information.
Personal Protective Equipment including Eye Protection
Personal protective equipment that provides protection of the eyes, nose, and mouth, is required if a worker is required to come within 2 metres of another person who is not wearing a face covering and not separated by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
Capacity Limits
All businesses or facilities must limit capacity so that every member of the public is able to maintain two metres of physical distancing from every other person, and limit the number of people occupying any room that is open to the public to 50% capacity of the particular room. Some businesses or facilities have additional capacity restrictions that apply beyond the general capacity requirements.
All businesses or facilities that engage in retail sales to the public must post a sign in a location visible to the public that states the maximum capacity they are permitted to operate under.
Please Note:
• The maximum number of persons permitted in a business or facility that is operating at 50 per cent capacity is determined by taking the total square metres of floor space accessible to
the public in the business or facility, not including shelving and store fixtures, dividing that number by 8 and rounding the result down to the nearest whole number.
• The maximum number of persons permitted in a business or facility that is operating at 25 per cent capacity is determined by taking the total square metres of floor space accessible to
the public in the business or facility, not including shelving and store fixtures, dividing that number by 16 and rounding the result down to the nearest whole number.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Businesses or places that are open shall ensure that equipment, washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms, showers that are accessible to the public are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition.
Face Coverings
Businesses or organizations must ensure that masks or face coverings are worn by any person (including members of the public and workers) in the indoor area of the business or organization, with limited exceptions.
Safety Plans
Requirement for all businesses open to prepare and make available a COVID-19 safety plan. A copy of the plan shall be made available to any person for review upon request, and be posted where it would come to the attention of individuals working in or attending the business.
Organized Public Events and Social Gatherings (including Religious Services, Rites or Ceremonies), Schools, Child Care, Post-Secondary Institutions and Day Camps
Events and gatherings
No indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone and single parents may consider having exclusive, close contact with another household to help reduce the negative impacts of social isolation Limit for outdoor organized public events and social gatherings, must comply with public health advice on physical distancing:
• 10 people outdoors
Weddings, funerals and other religious services, rites or ceremonies
Weddings, funerals and other religious services, rites or ceremonies where physical distancing can be maintained:
• 10 people indoors
• 10 people outdoors
Drive-in services, rites or ceremonies permitted, subject to certain conditions
Virtual services permitted
Post-secondary institutions
• Post-secondary institutions open for virtual instruction, with limited exceptions where in-person instruction is required (e.g., clinical training, trades). Subject to physical distancing with limited exceptions
• In-person teaching (each instructional space at the institution at one time) and in-person examinations cannot exceed 10 persons, with limited exemptions for:
o Diagnostic cardiac sonography and diagnostic medical sonography o Diagnostic ultrasound
o Medical imaging
o Medical laboratory assistant and Medical laboratory technician
o Medical radiation technology
o Medicine
o Mental health and addictions services, including psychology services, social work services and counselling services o Nursing
o Paramedic
o Personal support worker, supportive care worker, home care worker or a similar occupation
o Pharmacy/pharmacy technician
o Public health inspector, if the program is accredited by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors
o Rehabilitation sciences (nutrition, speech language pathology, occupational science, and physiotherapy)
o Respiratory therapy
Subject to additional requirements for in-person teaching that involves singing or the playing of brass or wind instruments
Day camps for children: CLOSED
Approach in Schools and Child Care
Schools
The following approach will apply to publicly-funded and private elementary and secondary learning, with the exception of First Nation and federally- operated schools:
• Elementary and secondary school students at publicly-funded schools would participate in remote learning from January 4-January 8, 2021.
o Publicly-funded schools and private schools in Northern public health regions would be permitted to resume in-person instruction on January 11, 2021 for both elementary and secondary schools
o For publicly-funded schools and private schools in all other PHU regions:
▪ Elementary school students would return to in person learning on January 11, 2021
▪ Secondary school students would continue learning remotely until January 25, 2021 and resume in-person learning on that date
• During the applicable period, schools will be closed, except for the following exceptions:
o For staff who are unable to deliver quality remote teaching, instruction or support to students from home o To provide access for child care centers in schools
Child care
• Child care will remain open for the duration of the Provincewide Shutdown period. This includes child care offered in licensed centres, in home-based settings (licensed and unlicensed) and by authorized recreation and skill-building providers
• During the period where elementary schools are operating virtually (i.e., from January 4 to 8, inclusive), licensed child care centres and authorized recreation and skill-building providers will be prohibited from serving school-aged children. All before and after school programs are being closed during this one-week period. These programs may resume operation when elementary schools return to in-person learning on January 11, 2021
• To support the parents of school-aged children who may not be able to accommodate their child’s learning/care at home, the Ministry of Education will be implementing a targeted emergency child care program for school-aged children, at no cost to eligible parents. Please refer to Appendix B for a list of eligible workers
• Operators of before and after school programs that are required to close from January 4-8, 2021 are prohibited from charging fees or otherwise penalizing parents during this time period (e.g., parents must not lose their respective child care spaces)
Businesses Permitted to Open and Sector Specific Public Health and Workplace Safety Measures: Refer to O. Reg. 82/20 1 for details
1 The regulation that establishes the rules for the Provincewide Shutdown is O. Reg. 82/20. Clicking on this link will take you to the most recent version of the consolidated regulation published on e-Laws. The e-Laws currency date appears at the top of the consolidated regulation. Proposed amendments to regulations do not appear on e-Laws. Amendments to regulations are initially published as “source law” on the e-Laws website.
Businesses Permitted to Open and Sector Specific Restrictions
Businesses, organizations and services permitted to open under the Provincewide Shutdown and any sector-specific public health and workplace safety measures
Supply chain
• Businesses that supply businesses or places that are permitted to open within Ontario, or that supply businesses or services that have been declared essential in a jurisdiction outside of Ontario, with the support, products, supplies, systems, or services, including processing, packaging, warehousing, distribution, delivery, and maintenance necessary to operate
Meeting or event space
Only permitted to open for:
- The operation of child care centres and authorized recreational and skill building programs within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act,
2014
- Court services
- Government services
- Mental health and addictions support services (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) permitted to a maximum of 10 people
- Social services
Contact information recording required
Short-term rentals
Short-term rentals (e.g., cottages, cabins):
- Only to be provided to individuals who are in need of housing
- Does not apply to short-term rental accommodations that were reserved before the Safe at Home Restrictions period
Refer to the Services section for details on motels, hotels, lodges, resorts and other shared rental accommodation, including student residences
Restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments
Take out, drive through, and delivery permitted only
Includes the sale of alcohol
Driving instruction
In-person driving instruction
• No in-person driving instruction permitted except:
o For instruction for drivers of commercial motor vehicles
o Where the instruction is part of the Ontario Driver Certification Program administered by the Ministry of Transportation and involves the
operation of motor vehicles for which:
▪ A class of driver’s licence other than Class G, G1, G2, M, M1 or M2 is required ▪ An air brake endorsement is required
▪ Or that is provided by a private career college, in accordance with certain conditions
Retailers
Supermarkets, convenience stores, indoor farmer’s markets and other stores that primarily sell food
• Open for in-person retail, subject to:
o Members of the public being able to maintain two metres physical distance from every other person in the business or facility o The number of persons occupying any room that is open to the public does not exceed 50% capacity of the particular room
• Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Pharmacies
• Open for in-person retail, subject to:
o Members of the public being able to maintain two metres physical distance from every other person in the business or facility o The number of persons occupying any room that is open to the public does not exceed 50% capacity of the particular room
• Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Discount and big box retailers:
Discount and big box retailers that engage in retail sales to the public and meet the following conditions:
• Sell groceries to the public
• Limit the number of persons occupying any room that is open to the public in the business to not exceed 25% capacity of the particular room
• Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Safety supply stores, businesses that sell, rent or repair assistive/mobility/medical devices, and optical stores that sell prescription eyewear to the public:
• By appointment only
• Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Stores that sell liquor, including beer, wine and spirits:
• Limit the number of persons occupying any room that is open to the public in the business does not exceed 25% of the particular room
• Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Shopping malls:
• Closed for in-person retail. Members of the public are only permitted to enter the mall to:
o Access businesses and organizations permitted to be open (e.g., pharmacy, dentist); food court open for take-away, or by appointment only to
facilitate pick-up as set out below
o Access court services and government services
• Shopping mall may establish:
o A single designated location inside the shopping mall for order pick-up by patrons. Pick-up inside the shopping mall must be by appointment
only
o Any number of designated locations outside the shopping mall for curbside pick-up by patrons
• Members of the public not permitted to loiter in any area of the shopping mall that is not related to the purpose of their visit
Cannabis retail stores operating under the authority of a retail store authorization issued under the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018: • By curbside pick-up or delivery only
Garden centres:
• Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Motor vehicle sales
• Includes cars, trucks and motorcycles; recreational vehicles including motor homes; trailers and travel trailers; boats and other watercraft; and other motorized vehicles, including power-assisted bicycles, golf carts, scooters, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles
• By appointment only
• Members of the public must not be permitted where products are neither sold nor displayed for sale
• Subject to certain conditions related to test drives
Outdoor markets
• Includes farmer’s markets and holiday markets only if they primarily sell food to the public
• Must require members of the public to remain outdoors at all times, including for curbside pick-up or delivery
General Retail (all other retail, including hardware stores, pet food, computer stores, etc.):
• Curbside pick-up or delivery only (in-person retail shopping not permitted)
• Sales must be exclusively made so patrons are not required to enter the indoor area of the business, including curbside pick-up or delivery
Services
Rental and leasing services, including automobile, commercial and light industrial machinery and equipment rental
• By appointment only
Gas stations and other fuel suppliers Automated and self-service car washes Laundromats and dry cleaners
Snow clearing and landscaping services
Security services for residences, businesses and other properties Domestic services
• Only to support children, seniors or vulnerable persons, including housekeeping, cooking, indoor and outdoor cleaning and maintenance services Vehicle and equipment repair and essential maintenance and vehicle and equipment rental services
• By appointment only
Courier, postal, shipping, moving and delivery services Funeral and related services
Staffing services including providing temporary help
Veterinary services
• For services that are necessary for the immediate health and welfare of the animal only, or provided through curb side pick-up and drop-off of the animal
Other businesses that provide for the health and welfare of animals, including farms, boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters and research facilities
Businesses that provide pet training exclusively for service animals
Hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other shared rental accommodation, including student residences
• Any indoor pools, indoor fitness centres, or other indoor recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses, are closed
Seasonal campgrounds
• Must be made available only for trailers and recreational vehicles used by individuals in need of housing or are permitted to be there by seasonal contract
• Only campsites with electricity, water service and facilities for sewage disposal may be provided for use
• All recreational and other shared facilities, excluding washrooms and showers must be closed
• Other areas of the seasonal campground must be closed to the general public and must only be opened for the purpose of preparing the seasonal
campground for reopening
Community centres
• Permitted to open for:
o The operation of child care centres and authorized recreational and skill building programs within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years
Act, 2014
o Mental health and addictions support services (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) permitted to a maximum of 10 people o Social services
Cheque cashing services
Financial Services
• Capital markets and related securities trading and advisory services
• Banking/credit union activities including credit intermediation
• Insurance
• Land registration services
• Pension and benefits payment services
• Financial services including payroll and payment processing and accounting and tax services
Real estate (including pre-sale construction)
• No open houses – showing a property permitted by appointment only
Telecommunications and IT infrastructure/service providers
Information Technology (IT) services, including online services, software products and the facilities necessary for their operation and delivery
Telecommunications providers and services (phone, internet, radio, cell phones etc.) and facilities necessary for their operation and delivery
• Retail stores operated by a telecommunications provider or service may only permit members of the public to enter the premises by appointment and only for repairs or technical support
Newspapers, radio and television broadcasting
Maintenance
• Maintenance, repair and property management services that manage and maintain the safety, security, sanitation and operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties and buildings
Transportation services
• Businesses and facilities that provide transportation services, including:
o Transportation services provided by air, water, road, and rail, including taxis and other private transportation providers, and o Support services for transportation services, including:
▪ logistical support, distribution services, warehousing and storage, truck stops and tow operators, and
▪ servicesthatsupporttheoperationsandsafetyoftransportationsystemsincludingmaintenanceandrepairs
o Marinas, boating clubs and other organizations that maintain docking facilities for members or patrons with conditions
o Businesses that provide and support online retail, including by providing warehousing, storage and distribution of goods that are ordered
online
Manufacturing
• Businesses that extract, manufacture, process and distribute goods, products, equipment and materials, including businesses that manufacture inputs to other manufacturers (e.g. primary metal/ steel, blow molding, component manufacturers, chemicals, etc. that feed the end-product manufacturer), regardless of whether those other manufacturers are inside or outside of Ontario, together with businesses that support and facilitate the movement of goods within integrated North American and global supply chains
Agriculture and food production
production
• Businesses that produce food and beverages, and agricultural products including plants, including by farming, harvesting, aquaculture, hunting and fishing
• Businesses that process, manufacture or distribute food, beverages, crops, agricultural products, animal products and by-products
• Businesses that support the food or agricultural products supply chains and the health and safety of food, animals and plants
Construction
• Construction activities or projects and related services that support construction activities or projects, including demolition services
• Land surveyors
Resources and energy
• Businesses that provide and ensure the domestic and global continuity of supply of resources, including, resource exploration, mining, forestry, aggregates, petroleum, petroleum by-products and chemicals
• Electricity generation, transmission, distribution and storage and natural gas distribution, transmission and storage
Community services
Businesses that deliver or support the delivery of community services including:
• Sewage treatment and disposal
• Collecting, transporting, storing, processing, disposing or recycling of any type of waste
• Potable drinking water
• Critical infrastructure repair and maintenance including roads, dams, bridges etc.
• Environmental rehabilitation, management and monitoring, and spill clean-up and response
• Administrative authorities that regulate and inspect businesses
• Professional and social services that support the legal and justice system
• Government services including but not limited to policing and law enforcement, fire and emergency services, paramedics, coroner and pathology
services, corrections and court services, licences and permits
• Allotment gardens or community gardens
Facilities for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities
• Closure of all indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness facilities except for:
o Facilities operated or for the sole use of high performance athletes, including parasport athletes, and specified professional leagues (e.g.,
NHL, CFL, MLS, NBA) and
o Facilities opened solely for specified purposes (e.g. child care)
• Community centres and multi-purpose facilities (e.g., YMCA) allowed to be open for permitted activities (e.g., child care services, mental health and addiction support services [limited to 10 people maximum], social services)
• All subject to conditions
Outdoor recreational amenities
• Outdoor recreational amenities permitted to open include: o Parks and recreational areas
o Baseball diamonds
o Batting cages
o Soccer, football and sports fields
o Tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts
o Basketball courts
o BMX parks
o Skate parks
o Golf courses and driving ranges
o Frisbee golf locations
o Cycling tracks and bike trails
o Horse riding facilities
o Shooting ranges, including those operated by rod and gun clubs
o Ice rinks
o Snowmobile, cross country, dogsledding, ice-skating and snow-shoe trails
o Playgrounds
o Portions of parks or recreational areas containing outdoor fitness equipment o Tobogganing hills and skating trails
Refer to subsequent slide for public health and workplace safety measures.
A permitted outdoor recreational amenity may only open if:
• Any person who enters or uses the amenity maintains a physical distance of at least two metres from other person using the amenity (excluding
members of the same household)
• Team sports, or other sports or games where people may come within two metres of each other, are not practiced or played within the amenity
• Any locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses remain closed, except to the extent they provide access to equipment storage, a washroom
or a portion of the amenity that is used to provide first aid Ski hills are closed
Research
• Businesses and organizations that maintain research facilities and engage in research, including medical research and other research and development activities
Health care and social services
• Organizations and providers that deliver home care services or personal support services to seniors and persons with disabilities
• Regulated health professionals
• Professionals or organizations that provide in-person counselling services
• Organizations that provide health care including retirement homes, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, independent health facilities and
mental health and addictions counselling supports
• Laboratories and specimen collection centres
• Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies, including medications, medical isotopes,
vaccines and antivirals, medical devices and medical supplies
• Manufacturers, distributors and businesses that provide logistical support of or for products and/or services that support the delivery of health care
in all locations
• Organizations that provide critical personal support services in home or residential services for individuals with physical disabilities
• Organizations that support the provision of food, shelter, safety or protection, and/or social services and other necessities of life to economically
disadvantaged and other vulnerable individuals
• Businesses that are primarily engaged in the provision of health and safety training with conditions
Media Industries
Sound recording, production, publishing and distribution businesses
Film and television production, including all supporting activities such as hair, makeup and wardrobe:
• No studio audiences permitted to be on the film or television set
• No more than 10 performers may be permitted to be on the film or television set
• Set must be configured and operated in such a way as to enable persons on the set to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other
persons, except where necessary for the filming of the film or television production
• Persons who provide hair or makeup services must wear appropriate personal protective equipment
• Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier
Film and television postproduction, visual effects and animation studios
Book and periodical production, publishing and distribution businesses
Commercial and industrial photography
• Does not permit retail studios to open
Interactive digital media businesses, including:
• Computer system software or application developers and publishers, and
• Video game developers and publishers
Concert venues, theatres and cinemas
May open for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with conditions, including:
No spectators may be permitted in the concert venue, theatre or cinema
No more than 10 performers may be permitted on stage
Every performer and other person who performs work for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person, except,
▪ if it is necessary for the performers or other persons to be closer to each other for purposes of the performance or rehearsal, or
▪ where necessary for the purposes of health and safety
Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier
Contact information recording required
No drive-in or drive-through events
Libraries
Libraries may open:
– for contactless curtsied, delivery, and pick-up
– for permitted services (e.g., child care services, mental health and addiction support services to a limit of 10 persons [AA meetings], provision of social services)
– if they ensure that circulating materials returned to the library are disinfected or quarantines for an appropriate period of time before they are recirculated.
-Contact information recording required
Horse racing:
Training only, no races, no members of the public (i.e., spectators)
Night clubs and strip clubs:
Only permitted to open if they operate as a food or drink establishment, subject to conditions that apply to restaurants and bars, etc.
Zoos and aquariums:
Closed to the public
Permitted to operate for the care of animals
Amusement parks, water parks, bathhouses and sex clubs, tour and guide services, motorsports, personal care services, casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments, Museums and cultural amenities: CLOSED
CMOH Advice to Ontarians for the Provincewide Shutdown
- Ontarians should stay home to the fullest extent possible
- Trips outside of the home should be limited and only for essential purposes (accessing health care and medication, grocery shopping, child care, exercisealone or people in your household (the people you live with) and in the community where you live, walking pets when required, and supportingvulnerable community members to meet the needs above)
- Remote work should happen in all industries to the greatest extent possible
o Employers should enable and support workers to work remotely and accommodate household needs related to virtual education and dependent care
• Face coverings should be tightly fitted to cover the nose, mouth and chin. Scarves and bandanas are insufficient
Close Contact, Gathering, and Events
• Indoor organized public events and social gatherings are not permitted except with members of the same household. Limit close contact to your household (the people you live with):
o Families should not visit any other household or allow visitors in their homes
o Individuals who live alone and single parents may consider having exclusive, close contact with another household to help reduce the negative
impacts of social isolation
o Virtual gatherings or events are the safest way to visit or recognize occasions with people outside your household, especially during the holiday
season
- Maintain two metres of physical distancing from everyone outside of your household (who you do not live with)
- Wear a face covering indoors; outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained; or if wearing one is required
Travel Within Ontario
• Stay home. Travel outside your region should be limited to only essential purposes.
See the entire industry specific information
moh-provincewide-shutdown-en-2020-12-21
