THE EMPLOYERS' EDGE
COVID-19 Update: Three of Ontario’s COVID-19 Hotspots Reverting to “Modified” Stage 2
On the heels of the highest-ever daily number of new COVID-19 cases in Ontario on Friday, October 9, 2020 – 939 new cases – the Province has announced the decision to revert to a “modified” Stage 2 in three of Ontario’s COVID-19 hotspots: Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa (the “Hotspots”).
The provincial government is urging people across the province to stay home except for essential purposes and effective Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. a number of new restrictions will be implemented in the Hotspots. These measures are expected to be in effect for at least the next twenty-eight (28) days.
Business That Must Shut down Include:
- indoor dining; specifically restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, including nightclubs and food courts in malls;
- indoor gyms and fitness centres, including yoga studios and dance studios;
- cinemas, casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments;
- performing arts centres and venues;
- spectator areas in racing venues;
- interactive exhibits or exhibits with high risk of personal contact in museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks; and
- personal care services where face coverings must be removed for the service.
Other Affected Businesses Include:
- wedding receptions will be prohibited as of October 13;
- capacity limits for tour and guide services will be reduced to ten (10) people indoors and 25 people outdoors;
- Real Estate open houses will be reduced to ten (10) people indoors, so long as physical distancing can be maintained;
- in-person teaching and instruction will be reduced to ten (10) people indoors and twenty-five (25) people outdoors, with exemptions for schools, child care centres, universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, private career colleges, the Ontario Police College, etc.;
- meeting and event spaces to ten (10) people indoors and twenty-five (25) people outdoors; and
- team sports will be limited to training sessions (no games or scrimmages).
However, it is important to note that these new closures and restrictions do not extend to schools, child-care centres, colleges, universities, place of worship or courtrooms.
With news and developments relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic occurring at a rapid pace – be sure to stay tuned to our Employers’ Edge Blog and Lawyers for Employers Podcast series. The team at CCPartners will continue to update our readers and listeners on all other pertinent developments regarding benefits and legislative changes related to COVID-19.