We want you to keep shopping local, while doing what’s needed to keep you, your family and your favourite businesses safe.
Here are the rules our business community is currently operating under.
We’re looking at another period of restrictions on business, in response to recent trends that show a rapid increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Ontario has temporarily moved into Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen with modifications that take into account the province’s successful vaccination efforts.
As of January 5, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. the following measures will be in place for at least 21 days (until January 27) subject to trends in public health and our health system.
Retail
All retail must operate under the following conditions:
- 50 per cent capacity
- active screening at photography studios and services
- safety measures for vehicle test drives sales, such as a maximum of 10 minutes for a test drive, a maximum of two people in a vehicle, including one sales representative, windows must be rolled down, active screening, masking, etc.
- safety measures for shopping malls, including capacity limits, no loitering, distancing in line ups, food courts closed and active screening.
There’s no indoor service at restaurants and bars. Outdoor service is limited to no more than 10 people per table, no dancing or singing and limited hours for liquor service.
For meeting and event spaces, including conference and convention centres, indoor areas are closed except for:
- Child care
- Court and government services
- Health services
- Mental health and addiction services up to 10 people
- In-person exams for limited occupations up to 50 people
Indoor gyms are closed except for athletes training for Olympics, Paralympics and special exemptions approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Casinos and bingo halls will be closed.
Saunas, steam rooms and oxygen bars will be closed.
Movie theatres will be closed.
Generally speaking, concert venues, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions, amusement parks, waterparks, tour and guide services may only operate under the following conditions:
- outdoor open with restrictions (such as masking on rides)
- spectators at seated events at 50 per cent capacity
- outdoor tours and boat tours at 50 per cent capacity
- drive-in and drive through events permitted with restrictions, such as distancing between cars, only permitted to leave a vehicle in limited circumstances, etc.
- indoor areas of concert venues, theatres and cinemas closed except for rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted performance, artistic event or performance, with restrictions.
Commercial film and television production
- studio audiences not permitted
- Restrictions, including performers must be distanced unless necessary
Personal care services such as barbers, hair salons, tattoo parlours must operate under the following conditions:
- 50 per cent capacity
- no services where face coverings need to be removed
- by appointment only
- active screening
- music played is not above a decibel level where normal conversation is possible
Hotels, motels and similar establishments must operate under the following conditions:
- open except for any area required to be closed, such as indoor gyms, pools, steam rooms/saunas
- restaurants within the hotel or motel may offer takeout or delivery only
Real estate agencies must operate under the following conditions:
- property viewings by appointment only
- no open houses
Businesses that provide in-person teaching or instruction (such as cooking classes, music classes) must operate under the following conditions:
- indoor areas closed, except for organizations that provide health and safety training (with conditions)
- outdoor areas open with restrictions in place, such as physical distancing
In-person driving instruction is limited to drivers of commercial motor vehicles only.
Libraries and community centres may open with 50 per cent capacity, with limited exceptions, such as child care, social services
For more information
If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Ontario government Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
In the meantime, stay safe and shop local!
