Ontario has announced that another 7 public health regions will be moving to Stage 3 of its Framework for Reopening ("Framework"). This change, scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2020, means that almost all businesses in the following public health unit regions will be permitted to re-open:
- Durham Region Health Department;
- Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit;
- Halton Region Health Department;
- Hamilton Public Health Services;
- Lambton Health Unit;
- Niagara Region Public Health Department; and
- York Region Public Health Services.
These regions will join 24 public health unit regions that entered Stage 3 on July 17, 2020.
Re-opening restrictions continue to apply across all Stage 3 regions. The following "high-risk places and activities" are not yet safe to re-open:
- 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;
- Table games at casinos and gaming establishments.
Businesses in "high risk" categories that are found to have re-opened without an approved re-opening proposal in place could face liability under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The province continues to accept re-opening proposals via its re-opening portal.
At present, all other stipulations under Stage 3 of the Framework remain the same:
- Gathering limits remain capped at 50 people (indoor events) and 100 people (outdoor events).
- Businesses must meet (or continue to meet) "strict health and safety requirements" to re-open or remain open.
- Ontario has now published over 170 sector-specific guidelines and documents to support a safe and efficient return to work. Businesses should revisit applicable sector-specific guidelines to ensure that they are aware of any new requirements, recommendations, and best practices.
Read the original article on GowlingWLG.com
Originally published 22 July, 2020
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