A June 8, 2020 Ontario 9 A Framework for Reopening our Province: Phase 2: Restart — Stage 2............................................................ 3 What Stage 2 Means for You ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 Public & Social Gatherings ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 Places of Worship .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 How to Stay Safe ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Keeping Workplaces Safe............................................................................................................................................................ 5 Helping You Get Back to Work .................................................................................................................................................6 A Regional Approach ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7 What Stage 2 Means for Retail, Food and Personal Services............................................................................10 What Stage 2 Means for Outdoor and Recreational Activities.......................................................................... 15 What Stage 2 Means for Care and Community Services......................................................................................18 Beyond Stage 2 ................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 A Path to Recovery.......................................................................................................................................................................... 21 2 A Framework for Reopening our Province: Phase 2: Restart — Stage 2 The government outlined Ontario’s gradual, staged approach to reopening the province, restarting the economy and easing the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in A Framework for Reopening our Province. Stage 1 of the plan helped more people safely get back to work and enjoy a return to some everyday recreational activities. Informed by public health advice and workplace safety guidance, and supported by the willingness of businesses, workers and families to make the changes necessary to limit potential spread of the virus, Ontario will begin to move into Stage 2. This next stage introduces a new, regional approach to reopening, based on trends of key public health indicators outlined in the framework, including virus spread and containment, as well as health system and incidence-tracking capacity. The approach will reflect the evolving public health situation provincially and in each region. In close cooperation with our partners, Ontario’s approach will continue to be informed by the best available medical and scientific advice. Public health remains the government’s top priority. The people of this province have demonstrated that they are willing to do what is necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19. They should also be confident that employers and businesses across Ontario will continue to follow public health advice, implement the necessary workplace safety measures to protect employees, customers and the general public and do their part to make Stage 2 a success. 3 What Stage 2 Means for You In Stage 2, additional restrictions will be loosened while emphasizing public health advice, workplace health and safety guidance, and personal and collective responsibilities. More businesses and services will be permitted to open, as well as community, recreational and outdoor spaces. The people and employers of the province must continue to act and work in the ways required to help stop the spread of COVID-19. As part of Ontario’s responsible approach, protections for vulnerable people must remain a top priority throughout the next stages of reopening. Stage 2 will allow more people to get back to work safely while not overburdening the critical services that support families, workers and Ontario’s economy. Businesses, organizations and public spaces permitted to open or increase service during Stage 2 are strongly recommended to review and implement workplace health and safety guidance available and easy-to-access at Ontario.ca/covidsafety. There are more than 100 guidance documents published by the government and health and safety associations. Throughout reopening, many businesses and organizations across the province have used the government’s guidance to develop their own workplace policies and safety plans. Public & Social Gatherings Regardless of where you live in Ontario, social gathering limits will be expanded to up to 10 people. People must still practice physical distancing, by keeping at least two metres away from others outside of their direct household. This change to social gathering size will apply to people across the province, regardless of whether their region has moved into Stage 2. Places of Worship Faith is a source of comfort and an important aspect of the lives of many people across Ontario. To support places of worship to reopen across the province and help to ensure the safety of worshippers, the government will make available guidance, including limiting attendance to 30 per cent of building capacity and practicing physical distancing. Guidance will also be provided for spiritual leaders and their staff. 4 How to Stay Safe Ontario’s fight against COVID-19 is not over. Everyone must do their part to keep each other, our families and our communities safe. Ontario’s successful recovery depends on you. You can help by: 14 Staying at home and away from others if you are feeling ill Washing your hands frequently with soap and water Maintaining physical distancing of at least two metres from people outside your immediate household in public Using an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available Practising good hygiene (avoiding touching your face and covering your cough or sneeze) Wearing a face covering in public where physical distancing is a challenge or not possible Limiting outings and public gatherings as per emergency orders Increasing cleaning of frequently touched surfaces Minimizing travel and self-isolating for 14 days after all international travel Working remotely or redesigning spaces and interactions to make them safer Getting tested if you are worried you have or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 Protecting the most vulnerable Keeping Workplaces Safe Keeping workplaces, employees and the general public safe as Ontario gradually reopens is essential for making the reopening of the province a success. That is why we are providing people, businesses and communities with the guidelines they need to prepare for Stage 2. The government and its health and safety association partners have released more than 100 health and safety guidance documents for multiple sectors, as well as a guidance document for essential workplaces. These documents, available at Ontario.ca/covidsafety, will cover businesses able to open in Stage 2. More guidance will be available as Ontario continues to move through the next stages of reopening and recovery. To reopen safely, employers must review the workplace health and safety guidance and ensure that appropriate measures are in place. Employers must also meet all existing occupational health and safety requirements. 5 With these measures, Ontario can continue to gradually and safely reopen workplaces and public spaces and rebuild the economy. Despite tremendous progress and the easing of restrictions, people are still encouraged to work from home as much as possible to limit potential spread of COVID-19. Helping You Get Back to Work As Ontario enters Stage 2 and more people return to work, the services that they rely on — from public transit to child care — need to be made available. Ontario’s approach to Stage 2 includes a plan for the services that support our economy and our workers. Child care centres across the province will shift away from providing only emergency child care to enabling the gradual reopening of regular child care, with strict public health measures in place, including to limit operational capacity. Clear workplace safety guidance for child care and day camps is available to protect the health and safety of staff, children and their families. While working remotely should continue as much as possible, the government will also provide additional guidance on how to safely use public transit. To assist provincial and local transit agencies in protecting transit staff and riders in this new environment, the government recommends the following measures: • Physical distancing of at least two metres by admitting fewer passengers and using physical markers between seats. • Use of face coverings, particularly when physical distancing is not feasible. • Making alcohol-based hand sanitizer available upon entering and exiting the vehicle. • • Implementing engineering controls like plexiglass windows between drivers and passengers. Enhanced cleaning, particularly of high-touch surfaces. 6 A Regional Approach Every region in Ontario has experienced the COVID-19 outbreak differently. By grouping regions of the province by local public health units (PHUs), the government’s approach reflects the unique realities of different communities in Ontario, recognizing that many areas of the province have seen fewer or no new cases of COVID-19 in the past two weeks. Directed by the Province, each region will be permitted to enter Stage 2 when safe to do so. The government’s decision will be based on the public health criteria outlined in the framework being met locally, including virus spread and containment along with health system and incidence-tracking capacity. The Province will allow the following regions to move into Stage 2 first: • Algoma Public Health • Brant County Health Unit • Chatham-Kent Public Health • Eastern Ontario Health Unit • Grey Bruce Health Unit • Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit • Hastings Prince Edward Public Health • Huron Perth Public Health • Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health • Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit • Middlesex-London Health Unit • North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit • Northwestern Health Unit • Ottawa Public Health • Peterborough Public Health • Porcupine Health Unit • Public Health Sudbury & Districts • Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services • Renfrew County and District Health Unit • Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit • Southwestern Public Health • Thunder Bay District Health Unit • Timiskaming Health Unit • Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health 7 The following regions will remain in Stage 1 until trends of key public health indicators demonstrate readiness to move into Stage 2: • Durham Region Health Department • Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit • Halton Region Public Health • Hamilton Public Health Services • Lambton Public Health • Niagara Region Public Health • Peel Public Health • Toronto Public Health • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit • York Region Public Health At the beginning of each week, the government will provide an update on the ongoing assessment of these regions, and whether they are ready to move into Stage 2 at the end of the week. 8 Stage 2: A REGIONAL APPROACH Map of Ontario Public Health Unit Regions Regions that will enter Stage 2 on June 12 Regions that will enter Stage 2 at a later date KEY PUBLIC HEALTH INDICATORS Virus spread and Health system Pubiic health Incidence tracking containment capacity System capacity capacity A 9 EIEI What Stage 2 Means for Retail, Food and Personal Services Personal Care Services Establishments providing personal care services can open with the proper health and safety protocols in place. • Examples include: o o o o • Beauty salons, shops and parlours (including beauticians, estheticians, cosmetology shops or salons, manicure and pedicure salons) Diet centres (non-medical), diet workshops, weight control clinics, and weight-reduction centres (non-medical) Piercing services o Day spas o Tanning salons o Tattoo studios Where physical distancing cannot be maintained, personal care service providers should ensure that: o Workplace guidance on measures to protect health and safety for personal services is available. The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory has a list of Ontario companies ready to supply PPE. For example, hair salons and barber shops should consider implementing the following measures to keep customers safe: Screening of customers and staff for symptoms and risk factors Hair removal services o o • Hair services (including barber shops, hair salons, hairdressers/stylists, colour consulting services, scalp treatment services, hair weaving services, and hair replacement services) KEEP PERSONAL SERVICES SAFE Patrons wear face coverings at all times. Workers wear face coverings and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves. Personal care services must take measures to enable physical distancing between patrons, such as limiting the number of people who may be in the business at any one time. 10 14 Requiring all customers to book an appointment and prohibiting walk-in customers Limiting the number of clients or workers in an establishment so that physical distancing can be maintained as much as possible Increasing cleaning and disinfecting or sterilizing instruments, including scissors, hair clippers, nail files, and other equipment between clients Assigning each worker a unique set of tools for their own use, and if not possible, limiting the number of people sharing equipment or tools Getting tested if workers are worried they have or have been exposed to COVID-19 • • Businesses should also consider operating by appointment and/or recording each patron’s name and contact information for the purpose of contact tracing. Restrictions include: o Prohibiting services that tend to a customer’s face, such as facials, facial hair grooming, eyebrow grooming and makeup, as well as oxygen bars. o Steam rooms, saunas and bath houses must remain closed. o • Baths, hot tubs, floating pools and sensory deprivation pods are closed except for therapeutic purposes prescribed by or administered by a regulated health professional. Change rooms and showers for water amenities will be available to the public if operators have the ability to adequately sanitize and disinfect the facilities. For clarity, a business can open to offer other permitted services even if a restricted activity is its primary service (e.g., a facial salon can open to provide other services). Personal Services Businesses primarily engaged in providing other personal services can open with the proper health and safety protocols in place. All services must be provided with physical distancing of at least two metres. • • • Examples include: o House sitting o Party, wedding planning and consulting services o Personal organizer services o Personal physical fitness trainer and sports trainers (outside of gyms only) o Personal shopping services o Porter services o Shoe services (e.g., shining, repair) o Check room services (e.g., coat check, suitcase storage) o Wedding chapels Personal services should use measures to enable physical distancing, such as limiting the number of people who may be in the business at any one time. Businesses should also consider operating by appointment and/or record each patron’s name and contact information for the purpose of contact tracing. 11 Restaurants & Bars Restaurants, bars, food trucks and other food and drink establishments (e.g., wineries, breweries and distilleries) can open for dining in outdoor areas only, such as patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent premises. • • • Establishments must take appropriate measures to ensure physical distancing of at least two metres between patrons from different households, including: KEEP CUSTOMERS SAFE Practice physical distancing Increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces Wear PPE at all times, at minimum an appropriate face covering o Using reservations. o Limiting number of patrons allowed in the outdoor space at one time. Wash your hands frequently and practice good hygiene o Ensuring enough space between tables, including to allow for movement. Get tested if you are worried you have or have been exposed to COVID-19 Access to indoor facilities is limited to patio/outdoor dining area access, food pickup, payment, washrooms or other health and safety purposes. Liquor sales licensees who wish to temporarily extend the physical size of their existing licensed patio, or temporarily add a new licensed patio within the approved period are authorized to do so, if all the following criteria are met: o The physical extension of the premises is adjacent to the premises to which the licence to sell liquor applies. Food services in any workplace setting are strongly advised to review and adopt workplace guidance for restaurants and bars. This includes food courts, food services on television, film and photography sets, and food services as part of tours. Workplaces are strongly recommended to review and adopt guidelines to keep employees and customers safe. o The municipality in which the premises is situated does not object to an extension. o The licensee is able to demonstrate sufficient control over the physical extension of the premises. o There is no condition on the liquor sales licence prohibiting a patio. 12 Shopping Malls & Centres In addition to providing online, curbside pickup and delivery services, all shopping centres, malls and markets may open. Stores in these facilities must follow the same guidance as those set out for other retail services. • • • • KEEP MALLS SAFE Engineering controls Make physical changes in the workplace that separate workers from the hazard or support physical distancing, disinfecting and hygiene. Food services and restaurants with mallonly entrances may open for outdoor dining spaces, delivery and takeout. Dine-in at indoor food courts is prohibited. Administrative controls Make changes to the ways people work and interact, using methods such as policies, procedures, training and signage Entertainment amenities not permitted in Stages 1 or 2, such as movie theatres and waterparks, remain closed. Malls may need to institute the policies that were put in place by retail outlets that remained open as essential businesses or were permitted to reopen during Stage 1, including engineering and administrative controls, such as: Workplace safety guidance for the retail sector is available. Workplaces are strongly recommended to review guidelines and take appropriate measures to keep employees and customers safe. o Alternative operating hours to address increased cleaning demands. o Enhanced security and limiting entrances. o Creation and enforcement of walking traffic patterns. o Operating by appointment or reservation. o Limiting the number of people who may be in one business at any one time. o Restricting fitting room access and implementing cleaning process between fitting room customers. o General building management, including signage and hand sanitizer at the entrance of building, and removing gathering settings (e.g., benches). Industry associations recommend that efforts to screen people for COVID-19 symptoms at shopping malls is best performed at the entry point of the shopping centre rather than at individual shops. 13 Photography All photography studios and services, including portrait, aerial, special event, commercial and industrial photography can reopen. • Physical distancing must be maintained between all individuals on set whenever possible and must be taken into consideration when organizing the layout of the set. Film & TV All film and television production activities will be allowed to resume. • Physical distancing must be maintained between all individuals on set whenever possible and must be taken into consideration when organizing the layout of the set. Tour & Guide Services Indoor and outdoor tour and guide services will be allowed to resume. • • • • • This includes: o Resource-based tours (e.g., hunting, fishing and similar excursions) o Tastings and tours for operators of on-site retail stores at manufacturing sites (e.g., wineries, breweries and distilleries) o Trail riding, walking and bike tours o Motor vehicle and boat tours (e.g., for sightseeing) Businesses should consider operating by appointment and/or record each patron’s name and contact information for the purpose of contact tracing. Patrons must adhere to physical distancing measures and limits to public gatherings. Equipment may be rented as needed as part of the tours. Equipment should be properly cleaned and disinfected in between rentals. Access to production areas for tours of food and beverage manufacturing sites is permitted, as long as operators can follow workplace guidance and public health advice to ensure quality and cleanliness of products. Eating or drinking can occur in licensed outdoor spaces but is not permitted indoors. 14 What Stage 2 Means for Outdoor and Recreational Activities Water Recreational Facilities All indoor and outdoor swimming pools and outdoor splash pads and wading pools may open to the public with no access to high-contact aquatic features such as slides and climbing structures. • • • • • • KEEP RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SAFE Practice physical distancing Increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces This includes public pools as well as pools situated in hotels, motels, condo parks, resorts and other private facilities. Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill Waterparks, wave pools and water slides will not be permitted to reopen in Stage 2. Wash your hands frequently and practice good hygiene Change rooms and showers will be available to the public if operators can adequately sanitize and disinfect the facilities. Persons in the place of business shall maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from each other at all times by: o Reducing resting areas and pool capacity. o Limiting and distancing pool-side seating. o Timed entry (e.g., appointment only). Get tested if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 Workplace guidance on measures to protect health and safety is available: • Facilities maintenance • Parks and recreation • Outdoor recreation, drive-in & drive-thru activities Workplaces are strongly recommended to review guidelines and take appropriate measures to keep employees and customers safe. Equipment rented or loaned must be disinfected or quarantined appropriately between uses. Aquatic activities such as fitness classes and swim lessons must be in line with physical distancing measures. For example, only other household members can assist swimmers with physical contact. 15 Outdoor Recreational Facilities Outdoor-only recreational facilities that operate low-contact attractions and activities will be allowed to reopen. • • • • • This includes activities such as paintball, mini-golf, archery ranges, go-cart tracks and other adventure activities. Locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses will remain closed, except to the extent they provide access to a washroom or a portion of the facility that is used to provide first aid. Equipment rented, loaned or utilized for outdoor adventure elements (e.g., ladders, ziplines, hand cables) must be disinfected or quarantined appropriately between uses. Activities where equipment cannot be sanitized are not permitted. Recreational activities or areas that do not allow for two-metre physical distancing between patrons are not permitted. Indoor recreational activities are not permitted except for indoor driving ranges and rod and gun clubs. • Amusement parks and waterparks (including those attached to hotels) will remain closed. • Playgrounds, play structures and outdoor fitness equipment will remain closed. Beaches, Parks & Camping In Stage 1, Ontario Parks opened limited backcountry camping including paddle and portage routes, access points and hiking trails. In Stage 2, Ontario Parks campgrounds and private campgrounds can also open for recreational vehicle, car camping and all other types of camping. • • Campers must adhere to social gathering size restrictions and maintain two-metre physical distancing with people outside their household and when outside of their campsites. Beach access at Ontario Parks will be permitted as part of Ontario Parks’ gradual reopening, although measures including limited capacity will be taken at some parks to enable physical distancing. Outdoor Recreational Team Sports Outdoor team sports may resume, if physically distanced, for training only and with no scrimmages or games. • • This includes limited access to facilities (e.g., no locker rooms, no change rooms and no showers). Access to clubhouse and other amenities will be limited to washrooms, emergency aid and equipment management. 16 Drive-in & Drive-thru Venues All existing and new drive-in and drive-thru venues can open for a variety of purposes, such as theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations. • • • Food services are restricted to delivery to vehicles and drive-thru only. Operators must have in place procedures for staff to ensure people remain in their cars except for using the washroom or in an emergency. In addition to other workplace and public health measures, drive-ins and drive-thru venues should: o Limit the number of vehicles and how they are parked to ensure physical distancing. o Ensure that any washrooms open for use are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary environment. Weddings, Funerals and Similar Gatherings Venues not otherwise restricted can open to conduct wedding ceremonies, funerals and similar gatherings within existing public health restrictions. • Events will be required to comply with limits for social gatherings of up to 10 people. • Dine-in and bar services must be in-line with the related guidelines and restrictions. • • Indoor and outdoor venues may open for weddings, funerals and similar gatherings, with limited access to facilities. Guests that are not part of the same household should follow physical distancing guidelines. 17 What Stage 2 Means for Care and Community Services Libraries All libraries can reopen with limited on-site services, such as computer access and contactless book pickup and drop-off. • • KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE Practice physical distancing Wear appropriate protective equipment where physical distancing is a challenge Patrons are not permitted to handle books or materials on shelves. Libraries should operate in adherence with public health guidelines on physical distancing, capacity and hygiene procedures (e.g., disinfecting returns and high-touch areas like computers). Increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill Community Centres Wash your hands frequently and practice good hygiene Community centres can reopen to the public with limited or modified on-site programs and services that follow workplace guidance and public health advice. • • • • • Get tested if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 Workplace health and safety guidance on measures to protect health and safety is available: Recreational activities are restricted at indoor facilities, but these spaces can be used for other programs and services. Examples of physically distanced programs and services include in-person counselling, group counselling, computer access, education and tutoring. Food services are restricted to takeout, delivery and outdoor dining spaces. Indoor pools may open (see water recreational facilities). • • Facilities maintenance Social & community service workers Workplaces are strongly recommended to review guidelines and take appropriate measures to keep employees and customers safe. Access to locker rooms, change rooms, showers and communal kitchen areas is not allowed. 18 Attractions & Heritage Institutions Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos outdoor heritage institutions (e.g., landmarks, outdoor historic sites, botanical gardens), and other establishments primarily engaged in preserving and exhibiting objects, sites and natural wonders of historical, cultural and educational value are permitted to reopen with restrictions. • • • • • Interactive and high-contact exhibits, amusement parks, water parks and conference centres will remain closed in Stage 2. Lockers will remain closed. The opening of commercial areas (e.g., restaurant, cafe, bookshop, giftshop) are subject to the related guidelines and restrictions. Persons in the place of business shall maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from each other at all times by: o Timed entry. o A limited number of visitors allowed in a place at one time. o Managed visitor flow (e.g., one-way flow). Establishments should consider operating by appointment and/or record each patron’s name and contact information for the purpose of contact tracing. Small Outdoor Events Non-essential in-person gatherings of any size continue to be strongly discouraged. Small outdoor events, such as cultural celebrations, animal shows and fundraisers will be permitted in line with gathering-size restrictions, subject to local public health requirements. • • Event organizers should have in place measures to enable physical distancing for people when in the event space and while waiting to enter, such as one-way traffic, marked lineup areas, and timed entry and length of stay. Large outdoor events, such as concerts, large festivals, parades and amusement fairs, are not permitted. 19 Beyond Stage 2 The government will provide additional guidance on how the province will move into Stage 3. These decisions will be made with people’s health as the top priority and based on the lessons learned in Stage 1 and 2. Based on public health advice, Stage 3 will focus on reopening more workplaces and community spaces, while carefully and gradually relaxing restrictions, and sustaining and expanding workplace health and safety guidance. Large public gatherings such as concerts, night clubs and sporting events will continue to be restricted for the foreseeable future. Stage 3 In Stage 3, Ontario will consider: • • • • • • • • • • Opening remaining workplaces and services responsibly, with remote work expected to continue wherever possible. Opening dine-in for restaurants, bars and other food services, with public health measures in place. Further relaxing restrictions on personal and personal care services, with public health measures in place. Opening all indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, including playgrounds and play structures and associated amenities like clubhouses, showers and change rooms with restrictions and public health measures in place. Allowing performing arts shows and cinemas with reduced capacity and other restrictions, such as assigned seating. Opening casinos and charitable gaming halls and events, including horse racing, with public health measures in place. Opening gyms, indoor sports facilities, fitness facilities and studios with public health measures in place, such as limits to the number of people, floor space, equipment, showers and change rooms. Opening amusement parks and waterparks with restrictions. Resuming training for indoor team sports and individual high-contact sports with measures in place to enable physical distancing. Maintaining protections for vulnerable populations and the continued practice of physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene, and significant mitigation plans to limit health risks. 20 A Path to Recovery The health of the people of Ontario will continue to guide every step of the government’s response to COVID-19. Stage 2 is a critical next step in the path to long-term economic recovery. To effectively reopen communities and restart the economy on the path to Phase 3: Recover, collaboration is essential. The Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee is continuing to consult with people from all walks of life across all regions and sectors of the province to inform the approach to Ontario’s economic recovery. Ontario will continue to work with all levels of government to address the unique impacts of COVID-19 on each community, making sure people get the support they need to succeed as progress continues on the path to recovery. Our common focus will be on creating jobs and opportunity across the province, while working to restore long-term prosperity for the benefit of every individual and family in Ontario. Working together, we will reignite Canada’s economic engine once again. Additional Resources • Find workplace safety guidance documents to prepare for reopening at Ontario.ca/covidsafety. • Learn more about Stage 1 of reopening. Learn more about A Framework for Reopening our Province. • Learn more about the first phase of Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. • Learn more about A Measured Approach to Planning for Surgeries and Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic, • Learn more about the COVID-19 Action Plan for Vulnerable People. • Learn more about the COVID-19 Action Plan for Protecting Long-Term Care Homes. • Provide your input on the economic impacts of COVID-19 and the next phase of Ontario’s Action Plan. • Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the government continues to protect people from COVID-19. 21