On May 14, 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that more Ontario workplaces will be allowed to reopen on Saturday May 16, 2020, and that even more will be allowed to reopen on Tuesday May 19, 2020 when Ontario enters Stage 1 of its Framework for Reopening Our Economy (read our recent article for an overview of the framework).
On May 16, 2020, the following workplaces will be allowed to reopen partially or fully:
- golf courses;
- marinas, boat clubs, and public boat launches;
- private parks and campgrounds;
- businesses that board animals, but only to allow boarders to visit, care for, or ride their animals.
So long as key public health indicators continue to improve, the following workplaces/activities will be allowed to reopen/resume on May 19, 2020:
- all construction projects;
- all retail stores with a street entrance that are not located in a shopping mall, so long as they have appropriate social distancing measures in place;
- seasonal businesses, non-team sports competitions for individual/single competitors, and recreational activity facilities that can be used while maintaining appropriate physical distancing (without spectators), such as tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, track and field facilities, and racetracks;
- animal/pet care services, such as groomers, trainers, and veterinary clinics;
- indoor and outdoor household services, such as cleaning and maintenance, that can follow public health guidelines; and
- certain health and medical services, such as in-person counselling and scheduled surgeries that meet certain criteria.
Nonetheless, the Ontario government has made it clear that businesses should not reopen until they are prepared to do so safely, in accordance with public health guidelines. All employers will need to ensure that they take appropriate precautions for the health and safety of their workers when they reopen (for more information, please see the our recent article).
On May 14, 2020, the Ontario government also launched the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory, a website providing an up-to-date list of companies and business associations that supply personal protective equipment (PPE). This directory is intended to ensure that businesses can obtain necessary PPE to meet public health guidelines.
This blog is provided as an information service and summary of workplace legal issues. This information is not intended as legal advice.