On Friday, October 9, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it will implement additional public health measures in Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto as a result of higher than average rates of COVID-19 transmission in those regions.
These “modified Stage 2” measures will be in place for a minimum of 28 days and will be subject to ongoing review. They will become effective on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 12:01 am.
The measures include:
- reducing limits for all social gatherings and organized public events to a maximum of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained (the two limits may not be combined for an indoor-outdoor event);
- prohibiting indoor food and drink service in restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, including nightclubs and food court areas in malls;
- closing indoor gyms and fitness centres, gaming establishments, indoor cinemas, performing arts centres and venues, spectator areas in racing venues, and interactive exhibits or exhibits with high risk of personal contact in museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, etc.;
- prohibiting personal care services where face coverings must be removed for the service;
- reducing the capacity limits for tour and guide services, real estate open houses, meeting and event spaces, and in-person teaching and instruction (for example, cooking classes; schools, child care centres, universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, private career colleges are exempted) to a maximum of 10 people indoors and, where applicable, 25 people outdoors; and
- limiting team sports to training sessions (no games or scrimmages).
Schools (including before-school and after-school programs), child care centres, and places of worship will remain open in these regions and must continue to follow the public health measures in place.
Employers should ensure that they remain on the lookout for further announcements regarding new and revised public health orders and guidelines as the government continues responding to increased numbers of COVID-19 infections during the second wave of the pandemic. As always, we will continue monitoring the situation and post further updates as they become available.
This blog is provided as an information service and summary of workplace legal issues.
This information is not intended as legal advice.