On November 10, 2020, the City of Toronto (“Toronto” or the “City”) announced new public health measures for the City, which were issued by its Medical Officer of Health pursuant to section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Ontario’s Reopening Ontario Act. These new measures are being imposed in addition to the measures under the Red “Control” level of Ontario’s new COVID-19 Response Framework, and will come into effect at 12:01 am on November 14, 2020 (for more information on the Framework, see our previous blog post).
Toronto was previously expected to move to the less restrictive Orange “Restrict” level, but City officials determined that enhanced public health measures were required after the City has continued to see record numbers of new COVID-19 infections.
Under the enhanced public health measures, Toronto employers will be required to:
- appoint a “compliance officer” to ensure implementation of occupational health and safety and infection prevention and control measures;
- review their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to ensure that they are in good working order; and
- promote working from home whenever possible.
Additional restrictions will also apply to employers operating in certain sectors. For example, employers operating fitness studios, meeting and event spaces, and gaming establishments will be required to close, and employers operating malls and food and drink establishments will be prohibited from providing indoor dining.
The City plans to release sector-specific guidance to help employers navigate the new requirements. Toronto employers should keep monitoring new public health advice, recommendations, and instructions as they are issued to ensure compliance with local health and safety requirements. As always, we will continue to monitor COVID-19 related measures affecting employers, and post further updates as they become available to keep you In the Know.
This blog is provided as an information service and summary of workplace legal issues.
This information is not intended as legal advice.