Parts of Ontario moving into Stage 3 of Reopening Plan on July 17, 2020
On July 13, 2020, the Ontario Government announced that, effective Friday, July 17, 2020, several health unit regions in Ontario will be permitted to move to Stage 3 of the province’s reopening framework.
Regions moving to Stage 3
All public health unit regions in Ontario will move into Stage 3, with the exception of the following health unit regions, which will remain in Stage 2 until further notice:
- City of Hamilton Health Unit.
- City of Toronto Health Unit.
- Durham Regional Health Unit.
- Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit.
- Halton Regional Health Unit.
- Lambton Health Unit.
- Niagara Regional Area Health Unit.
- Peel Regional Health Unit.
- York Regional Health Unit.
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
Additional activities permitted in Stage 3
Under Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the province’s reopening framework, most businesses and public spaces are permitted to reopen, subject to public health restrictions and workplace safety measures.
Stage 3 also increases the limit on the number of people permitted to gather in public, as follows:
- Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people; and
- Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people.
The gathering limits for those regions moving into Stage 3 apply to indoor and outdoor events such as community events, concerts, conferences, sports and recreational fitness activities, subject to physical distancing requirements.
Health unit regions remaining in Stage 2 must continue to maintain the existing gathering limit of 10 people. Social circles in all stages, including Stage 3, must be kept to a maximum of 10 people.
The government also announced that, beginning July 27, 2020, child care centres will be permitted to operate with cohorts of 15 children, an increase from the current cohort cap of 10, in order to allow parents to return to work. Child care centres and home child care providers will continue to be subject to strict safety and operational requirements.
Stage 3 closures and restrictions
The following prohibitions on certain businesses and activities remain in effect during Stage 3:
- Amusement parks and water parks;
- Buffet-style food services;
- Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements;
- Overnight stays at camps for children;
- Private karaoke rooms;
- Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports;
- Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars; and
- Table games at casinos and gaming establishments.
Guidance for employers
The Ontario Government has released sector-specific guidelines, guidance notes and tip sheets to help employers reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, and assist employers in meeting their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.Guidance documents will be available for all spaces permitted to open in Stage 3.
For further information on Stage 3 of the province’s reopening framework, the rules and restrictions in place under Stage 3, or compliance with the Ontario Government’s sector-specific guidelines for workplaces, please reach out to any member of the DLA Piper Ontario Employment and Labour Law Service Group, who will ensure that you are acting upon the most up-to-date information.
We will continue to monitor and provide updates as soon as they become available. The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving with new measures being adopted or modified at both the federal and provincial level. For further information, please consult our Coronavirus Resource Centre.
This article provides only general information about legal issues and developments, and is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Please see our disclaimer for more details.
