LiUNA – Recent Re- Opening Announcement Summary
As of February 9, 2021
Recent Changes:
Most areas of the province – including Toronto and the GTA – remain in the current COVID-19 shutdown and under the Stay-at-Home order. For Toronto, Peel, and York regions, the government anticipates that the lockdown and Stay-at-Home order will be in effect until at least Monday February 22, 2021.
Some select regions are exiting the lockdown phase on February 10, 2021 and moving to a “Green-Prevent” level on the province’s colour-coded system (see below for more information on Ontario’s colour-coding system). These three public health units are:
- Hastings Prince Edward;
- Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington; and
- Renfrew County and District.
The government anticipates lifting the Stay-at-Home order in all other public health units on Tuesday February 16, 2021 –except those in Toronto, Peel, and York regions.
Schools
Schools in Toronto, Peel, and York regions remain closed to in-person learning until at least February 16, 2021 and continue with online learning only. A decision on whether March break will be cancelled has yet to be made.
Social Gatherings
Social gatherings remain forbidden while the Stay-at-Home order is in effect. For Toronto, Peel, and York regions, this will likely be until February 22, 2021. The remainder of the province will likely leave the lockdown level on February 16, 2021.
The size of gathering allowed once the Stay-at-Home order is lifted depends on which colour-coded level the region moves to after they leave the “Grey-Lockdown” designation (see below for more information on Ontario’s colour-coding system).
Similarly, restaurants and bars will reopen after the Stay-at-Home order is lifted with capacity limits and other restrictions dictated by the colour-coded level the region moves into.
Retail
Ontario is making some changes to the regulations on retail to allow more businesses to operate during the “Grey-Lockdown” phase. Nevertheless, masks and social distancing remain mandatory and in-person retail operations have strict capacity limits:
- Grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores have a 50% capacity limit; and
- All other retail, including garden centres and hardware stores, have a 25% capacity limit.
Ontario’s Colour-Coding System:
Ontario has introduced a colour-coded system to indicate which phase each region is in. The various levels in the colour-code system are implemented based on the COVID-19 case count and public health data for the region’s Public Health Unit. Every level of the system has its own restrictions and guidelines.
Green-Prevent: limited restrictions – only the highest risk settings remain closed.
- Social gatherings are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors;
- Organized events (such as conferences) are limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Religious services and ceremonies are limited to 30% of the indoor capacity and 100 people outdoors; and
- Restaurants, bars, retail, and most other businesses are open with COVID-19 protocols such as masks and physical distancing in place.
Yellow-Protect: public health guidelines applied in some settings.
- Limited restrictions – only the highest risk settings remain closed;
- Social gatherings are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors;
- Organized events (such as conferences) are limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Religious services and ceremonies are limited to 30% of the indoor capacity and 100 people outdoors; and
- Restaurants and bars remain open but have limited hours of operation and COVID-19 protocols such as face masks and social distancing remain in effect.
Orange-Restrict: enhanced measures and restrictions in place.
- Social gatherings are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors;
- Organized events (such as conferences) are limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Religious services and ceremonies are limited to 30% of the indoor capacity and 100 people outdoors; and
- Increased restrictions at restaurants and bars including 4 people per group, limited hours of operation, and COVID-19 protocols such as face masks and social distancing.
Red-Control: broad measures and restrictions are implemented across multiple sectors.
- Social gatherings are limited to 5 people indoors and 10 people outdoors;
- Meetings and events are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
- Religious services and ceremonies are limited to 30% of the indoor capacity and 100 people outdoors;
- Restaurant and bars are limited in indoor capacity to 10 people in groups of 4 people maximum. Establishments also face limited hours of operation and all patrons must abide by COVID-19 protocols such as face masks and social distancing; and
- Essential businesses such as grocery stores and pharmacies have 75% capacity limits. Other retail such as hardware and liquor stores have 50% capacity limits.
Grey-Lockdown: widescale measures, restrictions, and closures in place.
- No social gatherings beyond your household except for individuals living alone who may gather with one other household;
- Organized events are limited to 10 people outdoors;
- Religious services and ceremonies are limited to 10 people indoors or outdoors.
- Restaurants and bars are limited to takeout and delivery only;
- Gyms and fitness facilities are closed (except for high-performance athletes); and
All retail open with capacity limits of 50% for groceries, convenience stores, and pharmacies. All other retail is subject to a 25% capacity limit.