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Guide to developing your COVID-19 workplace safety plan

Learn how you can create a plan to help protect your workers and others from novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

Use the Workplace Safety Plan Builder

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This guide will help you use current public health and workplace health and safety information to develop a plan and put controls into place to help make the workplace safer for everyone.

You can use the workplace safety plan builder to help create your COVID-19 workplace safety. All employers are encouraged to review and update their safety plan regularly.

As an employer it’s your responsibility under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect a worker.

Employers are not required to send their plan to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and the ministry will not provide comments on safety plans sent in. During an inspection of your workplace, an inspector or compliance officer could ask whether you have developed a safety plan and may ask to see it.

Discuss and share your safety plan with everyone at work, including:

  • supervisors
  • health and safety representatives or members of joint health and safety committees ( JHSCs )
  • contractors

This guide does not replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act or the Employment Standards Act and their regulations and should not be used as or considered legal advice. Health and safety inspectors and employment standards officers apply the law based on the facts in the workplace.

Develop your COVID-19 safety plan

Key sources of information.

It’s important that you talk to workers and your JHSC members or health and safety representatives, if any, for their input on the plan. Share the plan with all workplace parties when it is done. This will help ensure your workers and others understand how you plan to manage the risks of COVID‑19 .

Check the resources to prevent COVID‑19 in the workplace for sector-specific information and examples of controls that apply to your type of workplace. These documents may be helpful as you develop your plan. Visit the webpage regularly to check for the latest information.

Make sure you continue to follow any provincial requirements under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID‑19 ) Act and any local public health orders. Find out about the latest updates in public health measures, advice and restrictions .

Understand COVID‑19 risks

The first step to control risks in a workplace is to identify them. For COVID‑19 , the risks are related to how the virus spreads.

COVID‑19 primarily spreads from person-to-person through respiratory droplets created by a person who is infected. Respiratory droplets vary in size from large droplets that fall to the ground rapidly near the person, to smaller droplets, sometimes called aerosols. The droplets are created when a person:

The virus can also be spread indirectly through contaminated surfaces or objects.

The key risk factors for COVID-19 transmission include:

  • close proximity - working close to others
  • longer exposure - spending more time with potentially infected people
  • crowded places - having more people in a space
  • closed spaces - indoor spaces with less fresh air (working indoors is riskier than working outdoors)
  • forceful exhalation – activities that cause people to breathe more deeply, such as physically demanding work, speaking loudly and singing

Each additional risk factor in the workplace increases the risk of transmission. Not having any of these factors does not mean there is no risk of transmission.

The risk of severe health outcomes is not the same for all workers . The risk increases with age and is higher for people with certain medical conditions.

It is possible for COVID‑19 to be spread by people who do not have any symptoms, including people who have been vaccinated. Act as if everyone is infected when setting up controls.

Control COVID‑19 risks in the workplace

Control measures are the steps you take to reduce the risks to your workers. With an infectious disease like COVID‑19 your controls can help to break the chain of transmission of the virus and reduce the risk of a workplace outbreak.

Your controls should address the key risk factors for COVID‑19 transmission in your workplace.

The most effective way to stop the spread of COVID‑19 is to limit interactions between people. All workers who can work from home should continue to do so. This is an important way to both protect these workers and help protect those who do have to go into the workplace.

For workers who must be in the workplace, there are a variety of control measures to help reduce the risk of transmission. These measures help to protect workers in different ways. For example:

  • screening helps to keep people who may be infectious out of the workplace
  • good ventilation and wearing masks can help reduce the amount of virus in an indoor space
  • maintaining physical distance reduces the chance of being exposed to respiratory droplets of all sizes
  • personal protective equipment( PPE ) can help protect the wearer from exposure to the virus and may be required when other control measures cannot be consistently maintained

The best way to reduce the likelihood of transmission in your workplace is to have multiple controls in place. This is especially important in situations where one or more controls cannot be consistently maintained.

COVID‑19 vaccines may supplement, but should not replace, any workplace controls. No single action, including vaccination, is perfect at controlling risks. Workplace control measures reduce the chance of people being exposed to the virus. Vaccination reduces the chance that the person vaccinated will get sick if they are exposed to COVID‑19.

Use the hierarchy of controls

The hierarchy of controls (image and description below) can help you choose the right controls for your workplace. This applies to all workplace hazards, not just COVID‑19 .

The levels in the hierarchy of controls, in order from most effective to least effective, are:

  • elimination
  • substitution
  • engineering controls
  • administrative controls
  • personal protective equipment ( PPE )

When making your plan, always start by considering the most effective controls first. First, try to eliminate the hazard altogether. Where eliminating the hazard is not possible, use multiple engineering and administrative controls.

The higher the control appears in the diagram and the earlier it is in the list, the more effective it is. The first three types of controls are more effective because once in place they do not usually require additional action by a worker. The effective use of administrative controls and PPE requires workers and other people to implement them properly and consistently every time.

Even with the rapid and collaborative response to COVID‑19 , there are still many uncertainties about the disease. As the evidence evolves, what we know about the risks and best practices for controls may change, so it is important to stay current. The safety plan approach allows you to incorporate new information as it becomes available.

Hierarchy of controls represented as an inverted pyramid, with most effective at the top narrowing to least effective at the bottom.

Elimination

Remove the risk of exposure entirely from the workplace. For example, having everyone work from home all the time would eliminate COVID‑19 risk from a workplace.

Substitution

Replace a hazardous substance with something less hazardous (for example, replace one chemical with another). For an infectious disease such as COVID‑19 , substitution is not an option.

Engineering controls

Make physical changes to reduce or remove the hazard, for example, through ventilation or separating workers from the hazard.

Administrative controls

Make changes to the ways people work and interact, using policies, procedures, training and signage. For example, you could:

  • establish contactless curbside pickup
  • create policies to limit the number of people in a space at one time
  • schedule to stagger work shifts and breaks
  • establish new cleaning and disinfection protocols
  • provide education and training on proper hand washing technique
  • set up a screening process

Personal protective equipment ( PPE )

This is equipment and clothing worn by a worker to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent illnesses and infection. PPE is used to protect the wearer and can include such things as surgical/procedure masks and eye protection.

Correct use of PPE can help prevent some exposures, but it should not take the place of other control measures, for example, screening, hand hygiene, use of barriers and physical distancing where possible. PPE must be used alongside other control measures already in place.

Using masks as a control measure

A mask is a piece of equipment that covers the wearer’s nose, mouth and chin. It is fixed to the face with straps, ties or elastic, either behind the head or with ear loops.

For COVID‑19 protection, masks can be used as workplace control measures in two ways:

  • as source control: workers and visitors wear the mask to protect those around them
  • as personal protective equipment ( PPE ): workers wear the mask (along with eye protection) to protect themselves

Not all masks are suitable for both purposes, however, many masks that are suitable for use as PPE also work for source control. You need to consider how you will use the mask in your workplace and make sure to select a suitable type of mask. Cloth masks are not PPE .

How effective masks are as a control measure depends on:

  • the type of mask(s) used
  • masks being worn properly and consistently

It is recommended that all workers wear masks that provide source control:

  • indoors at all times
  • outdoors where physical distance cannot be maintained

To help you decide what is right for your workplace, see using masks in the workplace for more information.

Safety plan questions

There are six questions you should think through as you develop your COVID‑19 workplace safety plan. The information in this document will help you to think through the issues as you develop a plan for the unique situation in your workplace.

Question 1: How will you ensure all workers know how to keep themselves safe from exposure to COVID‑19 ?

Provide clear information and instruction to your workers. Make sure they know what they need to do to protect themselves and others. Ensure they know how to follow the work and hygiene practices in your plan, including all new safety measures.

Set up or use your current internal communication systems to provide frequent reminders and updates. Use a variety of ways to reach your workers, such as:

  • posting notices in common areas
  • virtual team meetings
  • intercom announcements

Keep up with public health and workplace safety guidance for COVID‑19 . Share new information as soon as possible.

Some actions to consider:

  • post information for workers and other people entering the workplace
  • share information in all languages spoken by your workers, if possible
  • use easy-to-understand information, such as graphics and resources from the Ontario government
  • provide information to your workers about how vaccination can help keep them safe
  • remind workers about available social and mental health supports , and encourage them to use these resources
  • share information to help your workers stay healthy while commuting and travelling as part of their work
  • train and re-train on procedures

Question 2: How will you screen for COVID‑19 ?

Screening helps keep infected workers and others from entering the workplace. This can reduce possible transmission in your workplace. Read more about workplace screening .

Make sure all workers know to stay home if they have symptoms that are new, getting worse or unexplained (for example, not caused by an existing condition). Provide information to workers on how to access health, job and financial supports that are available to them.

Know the symptoms and risk factors to look for and plan for how you will screen workers and others who enter your workplace. You must make sure that your screening process follows the instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Make sure any people working as screeners receive information and instruction on how to perform this work safely and what to do if a person must be excluded from the workplace.

Screening of workers

Employers must actively screen all workers, including those who are vaccinated, for  COVID-19 symptoms  and other risk factors before they enter the workplace at the start of their shift.

Active screening means that as an employer it is your responsibility to ensure that no worker enters the workplace unless it is confirmed they have completed the screening and the result of that screening has indicated that they are allowed to enter the workplace.

Consider what records you will keep so you can show how your active screening process works and that you have been following it.

Question-based screening

This type of screening involves using information about symptoms and exposures to determine if a person can enter a workplace.

A person has passed question-based screening if they have none of the symptoms or exposures asked about in the screening tool.

You can use the  COVID-19 worker and employee screening   tool or must make sure your screening tool includes all the same questions.

Question-based screening may be done in person or remotely, including by telephone, web tool, email or app.

Rapid antigen screening

This screening method involves collection of a sample from an individual that is analysed to see if it contains proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Rapid antigen screening is used to help identify asymptomatic COVID-19 cases.

A person has passed rapid antigen screening if they get a negative result on the rapid antigen test. Individuals with a positive result obtained through a rapid antigen screening do not require a PCR test to confirm the result.

Rapid antigen screening can be a helpful step to add to a workplace screening process. If you are thinking of adding rapid antigen screening in your workplace, read more about considerations and get free rapid tests .

Self-monitoring

Encourage workers to monitor their own symptoms at all times, including while at work:

  • ensure workers know what to do if they start to experience symptoms at work
  • let workers know where to find the online COVID-19 self-assessment tool
  • ask workers to use the self-assessment tool at home if they have any symptoms and to follow the instructions

Make sure workers know who their workplace contact is and how to get in touch with them in case the self-assessment, public health or their health care provider tells the worker to self-isolate .

Screening of non-workers

Consider how you will screen clients, customers and patrons. Where possible, actively screen using the COVID-19 customer screening tool. Note that in some workplaces, there may be requirements for active screening of non-workers. Proof of vaccination may be required as part of the screening process for non-worker in some settings .

You may be able to screen non-workers:

  • by phone or online before they arrive
  • using a process similar to the one that you use to screen your workers

At a minimum, you must have passive screening of non-workers entering your workplace. This means:

  • you must post signs with clear instructions at all entrances that tell people how to screen themselves
  • the signs should include the screening questions and instruct people with symptoms or high-risk exposures not to enter the premises
  • people are assumed to have screened themselves and followed the instructions
  • you do not need to ask anyone to report the result of their screening
  • a person should be told not to enter if they volunteer the information that they did not pass the screening assessment

Screening results – next steps

If a person, worker or non-worker, passes all steps used in the screening they:

  • are permitted to enter the workplace at that time
  • must continue to follow all public health and workplace control measures, including masking, maintaining physical distance and hand hygiene
  • should continue to self-monitor and workers should follow their workplace’s reporting procedure if they develop symptoms during their shift

If a person, worker or non-worker, does not pass on any part of the screening they:

  • are NOT permitted to enter the workplace at that time
  • must follow guidance on self-isolation and return to work .

Question 3: How will you control the risk of transmission in your workplace?

COVID‑19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms even after being vaccinated. This is why it is very important to have effective control measures in the workplace.

Examples of controls to consider are provided below. You can find many other ideas in the sector-specific  resources to prevent COVID‑19 in the workplace .

To operate your business more safely and to keep it operating, you may need to make changes to the workspace and to the ways your work is done.

Maximize physical distancing and separation

The most effective way to reduce the risk of COVID‑19 transmission is to avoid in-person interactions. Where possible, workers should continue to work from home and meet virtually until public health authorities advise otherwise.

Where remote work is not possible, maintaining physical distance is an important measure to reduce the chance of transmission. To enable workers to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other people in the workplace, use a variety of engineering and administrative controls, such as:

  • barriers, such as plexiglass, to maintain separation as a primary means of control
  • scheduling and other administrative changes to reduce the number of people who must share the same space including during shifts, lunch and other breaks
  • providing adequate space by using and repurposing all available areas inside your facility and in the surrounding outdoor space

Source control masking

Using masks as source control involves having workers, visitors and clients in the workplace wear a mask to help protect those around them. All employers should use source control masking, combined with other control measures. Masks are especially important indoors and help to reduce the risk in situations where:

  • workers spend time together or one after another in an enclosed or confined area
  • there is poor ventilation
  • a lot of people are in the same space
  • physical distancing cannot be consistently maintained

Source control masks should not be used instead of physical distancing, and physical distancing should not be used instead of source control masks – both control measures lower risk and should be used together.

Consider how effective using masks as source control may be in your workplace. This will depend on the type of mask(s) used and whether they are worn properly and consistently.

Encourage clients, customers and visitors to your workplace to wear masks to help protect your workers and to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID‑19 in your community.

In some workplaces in Ontario, wearing a mask or face covering is required by public health or other authorities. You should be aware of the most current:

  • requirements of the local public health unit
  • relevant bylaws in the municipality in which you do business
  • requirements under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID‑19 ) Act that are applicable to your business
  • directives issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health that are applicable to your industry or business

Even with other controls in place including physical distancing and source control masking, there may be situations where PPE will be required. A surgical or procedure mask worn as part of required PPE also works as source control. Masks, including respirators, with exhalation valves should not be used for source control.

Ventilation and air flow

The risk of COVID‑19 transmission is higher in more enclosed and crowded spaces. Good ventilation can decrease the concentration of aerosols that may be suspended in the air indoors and help reduce the chance of COVID‑19 spread.

Ventilation includes:

  • dilution – opening windows and doors, increasing air exchange rates in air handling ( HVAC ) systems
  • filtration – using filters to remove viral particles from the air

At minimum, you should ensure that HVAC systems are maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Consider COVID‑19 standards for ventilation and HVAC systems, such as those from  the CSA Group  and the ASHRAE .

Additional steps you can take:

  • use portable air cleaners
  • keep windows and doors open as much as possible, including in colder weather
  • adjust HVAC systems to increase the amount of fresh air and reduce recirculation
  • continue ventilation and air exchange after regular business hours
  • run exhaust fans at full capacity (for example in bathrooms and kitchens)
  • if fans are needed for temperature control, make sure you are using them as safely as possible
  • use available outdoor space whenever possible (for example, for meetings, breaks, client interactions such as curbside pick-up)
  • consider going beyond minimum standards if possible
  • they cannot identify the presence or absence of COVID‑19 in the air

Ventilation improvements should not be used instead of other control measures, such as source control masking and other controls should not be used instead of ventilation – all control measures lower risk and should be used together. The use of other control measures is particularly important in areas where it is difficult to improve ventilation.

Reduce transmission from surfaces and objects

The virus that causes COVID‑19 may be transferred to surfaces or objects. Workers can be infected if they touch their face with contaminated hands.

Consider the policies and procedures you can put in place to make sure you are cleaning and disinfecting and keeping the workplace as free of the virus as possible. The public health recommendation is to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces at least twice a day.

To reduce transmission:

  • identify commonly touched surfaces and commonly used areas in your workplace and put into place a schedule to clean and disinfect them
  • consider whether there are high-touch surfaces that may need to be cleaned and disinfected more often
  • assign tools, equipment and workstations to a single user if possible, or limit the number of users
  • regularly clean and disinfect any shared equipment and tools, including between users

Support good hand and respiratory hygiene

The same everyday steps recommended by public health officials to stop the spread of COVID‑19 are important in the workplace too. One of the most important things we can all do is to wash our hands often with soap and water.

Think about what you can do to make it easier for your workers to take these steps regularly at work. You can:

  • post reminders to wash hands, use proper cough and sneeze etiquette and avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth
  • provide ways to properly clean hands by providing access to soap and water and, if that is not possible, alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • ensure that workers can clean their hands frequently and whenever needed
  • have all workers and visitors properly clean their hands before entering the workplace and after contact with objects and surfaces others may have touched

Personal protective equipment

To determine when personal protective equipment ( PPE ) is needed in your workplace, you will need to assess all the relevant factors in the workplace. This includes how effective the other control measures you have in place are. Even with other controls in place there are situations where PPE will be needed.

Correct use of PPE can help prevent some exposures, but it should not take the place of other control measures – PPE must be used alongside other control measures already in place.

It’s important that any PPE workers use is appropriate for the purpose. The effectiveness of PPE depends on every person wearing it correctly and consistently. Make sure your workers are trained on the care, use and limitations of any PPE that they use.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has provided direction to health care organizations about the minimum requirements for COVID‑19 PPE .

Where PPE for COVID‑19 is needed in non-health care settings:

  • it will likely consist of a surgical or procedure mask (or equal or greater protection) in addition to eye protection (such as face shield or goggles)
  • gloves will not usually be needed as they do not provide any more protection than hand washing or using hand sanitizer

Workers that wear PPE for protection against workplace hazards besides COVID‑19 must continue to use that PPE as required. This includes gloves for new cleaning and disinfecting products that workers use because of COVID‑19 .

Question 4: What will you do if there is a potential case of, or suspected exposure to, COVID‑19 at your workplace?

There are steps that you will need to take if one of your workers, visitors or clients has symptoms that may be related to COVID‑19 or is diagnosed with COVID‑19 :

Step 1: Exclude people with symptoms or who have been exposed from the workplace

Workers should be kept out of the workplace if any of the following are true:

  • they have they have tested positive for COVID‑19
  • they have been exposed to someone with  or who has received a positive test result (details may vary based on vaccination status and type of exposure – see  for more information)

Special requirements apply to people who live, work, attend or volunteer in high-risk settings, such as health care settings, congregate living settings, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

Clients and customers who have COVID‑19 symptoms or some types of exposures should be screened out of the workplace based on the directions in the screening guidance.

If a worker calls in sick, informs you of symptoms of COVID‑19 or informs you they had close contact with someone with symptoms, have them take the self-assessment . Ask the worker to follow any recommendations given by the tool, including being tested and self-isolating.

If anyone shows symptoms in the workplace, they should return home and self-isolate immediately. If they cannot leave immediately, they should be isolated until they are able to leave. Have a plan in place to deal with this and train supervisors on how to handle the situation.

Self-isolation and return-to-work

A person who has COVID‑19 must self-isolate so they can’t infect others, whether fully vaccinated or not. The purpose of self-isolation after exposure is to prevent a person from infecting others before they know they are infected.

As an employer, it is important for you to understand   COVID‑19 self-isolation and return to work  for your workplace. Details on requirements can be found in the provincial guidance on the management of cases and contacts of COVID‑19 .  Follow any and all public health measures and direction.

Consider how you can support workers so they are able to self-isolate and how you will manage if workers are unavailable. You could:

  • assign work-at-home tasks to workers who must
  • use flexible schedules that allow self-isolating workers to work additional hours when they return to the workplace
  • identify workers within your organization who can work additional hours or shifts as needed and make sure they are trained to do the work they might be asked to do
  • develop back-up schedules that can be quickly implemented if needed
  • make sure workers know how to access  job and financial supports  that are available to them and provide them any documentation they need 

Workers who are considered employees under the  Employment Standards Act  have the right to take job-protected  infectious disease emergency leave  if they must self-isolate because of COVID‑19.

You cannot penalize an employee in any way for taking or planning on taking an infectious disease emergency leave.

Learn about the  Ontario COVID‑19 worker income protection benefit .

Workers who must take time off from work because of COVID‑19 may be entitled to employment insurance benefits or to other federal government financial supports. For information,  visit the federal government’s website  or contact Service Canada’s Employment Insurance Automated Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 .

Workers can return to the workplace after their self-isolation period if they have no fever and their symptoms have been improving for the appropriate time period, based on the appropriate time period, based on the guidance provided by the Ministry of Health .

Workers do not need a negative COVID‑19 test to return to the workplace after self-isolating for the full required period.

Step 2: Inform any workers who may have been exposed

Let workers know if they may have been exposed in the workplace.

If available, provide information to workers about the potential exposure and where it took place. Don’t give out information that will identify the infectious person.

Having a system in place to help keep track of which people had  can help you identify who may have been exposed if someone in your workplace develops symptoms or tests positive for COVID‑19.

You could include information such as:

  • dates and times of interactions
  • approximate length and frequency of interactions
  • contact telephone numbers
  • addresses (for workers) or the name of the visitor’s business

Some businesses may be required to collect and maintain contact information. Information on minimum requirements can be found in the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID‑19) Act .

In places where active screening of patrons is not required, businesses should  and ask all clients and customers to  for COVID‑19 symptoms or exposures prior to entry to the workplace.

Step 3: Report to Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and the WSIB

If you are advised that one of your workers has COVID‑19 due to exposure at the workplace, or that a claim has been filed with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), you must give notice in writing within four days to:

  • the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
  • the workplace’s joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative
  • the worker’s trade union (if applicable)

Additionally, you must  report any occupationally acquired illnesses to the WSIB  within three days of receiving notification of the illness.

You do not need to determine where a case was acquired and you do not need proof of a positive COVID‑19 test. If it’s reported to you as an occupational illness, you must report the case.

Question 5: How will you manage any new risks caused by changes to the way you operate your business?

Changes to work practices to prevent COVID‑19 may affect the way you manage other risks in the workplace. For example, you may have controlled the risk of injury from lifting heavy items by having two people involved. This may not be possible while workers maintain physical distance.

It’s also possible that new procedures will bring new risks or challenges. For example, if you start using a new product for disinfection, you need to know what chemicals are in the product and how to use it safely. Workers may need new training.

Other plans and protocols you have in place may also need to be adapted for COVID‑19 . For example, how will you maintain physical distance during an emergency evacuation? What will you do if workers are told to self-isolate because of exposure to COVID‑19?

Review and update your workplace violence prevention policy to address the potential for increased risks of harassment, threats and violence to workers. Have a clear process for dealing with aggressive or violent behaviours, particularly when workers are conducting screening, requiring proof of vaccination or are asked to inform customers about COVID‑19 protocols. Make sure these workers get the information and instruction they need to do their work as safely as possible.

Remote work may pose its own risks. This may include technological barriers, mental health concerns and ergonomic challenges.

New risks may be introduced by:

  • workers having been away from their work
  • changes to processes and procedures
  • use of temporary labour and inexperienced staff
  • restarting activities and machinery that have been shut down
  • stress and change – consider how this affects your workers’ mental health

If your plan introduces shift work or splits teams that would normally work together, describe what steps you’ll take to:

  • manage the impacts of shift work, including fatigue, transport, childcare and the potential dilution of skills available within a split team or rostered workgroup
  • ensure each team has access to the right skills and support to be able to work safely

Question 6: How will you make sure your plan is working?

Operating a business during the pandemic involves recovery stages will involve different ways of working. Checking to see how your plan is working will help you find the best solutions for your unique situation and adapt to any changes.

You may want to assign a manager or management team to take charge of COVID-related issues, including training for supervisors and regular dialogue with supervisors, to make sure there is compliance with all protocols. Use existing incident reporting systems. Schedule regular times to review your plan and its effectiveness.

  • Add your COVID‑19 measures and procedures to the JHSC checklist for required monthly inspections.
  • In health care workplaces the joint health and safety committee or health and safety representatives  must be  consulted.
  • What is the best way to engage your workers and workplace parties? Ask them how they would like to participate in decision making and provide feedback. Remember it may not be possible for them to complete forms or attend meetings outside of work time.
  • What can you measure and monitor so that you can evaluate how well the new protocols are being followed?
  • How will you communicate changes to processes, ensure all workers know about the changes and are trained to implement them?
  • How often will you update and share new versions of your plan?

As the COVID‑19 situation evolves what is right for your situation may change. Make sure to review and update your plan regularly.

Some Ontario businesses reopening after struggling to survive long-running lockdown

These business owners went to great lengths and expense to serve their customers again.

ontario government business reopening plan

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Many Ontario businesses are preparing to reopen with some limitations after a frustrating period of ever-changing pandemic restrictions affecting retailers and services that were deemed non-essential.

As the province moves into the first stage of its three-stage reopening plan on Friday, some owners say they've had to take an innovative approach to survive and to serve their customers in person again.

Debrah Menashy, owner of Loft Cycle Club Inc. in Toronto will be starting outdoor spin classes, which will be limited to just nine riders and take place in a parking lot near the city's Broadview and Danforth avenues.

"Every time I go to add it up, we have to buy something else," she said, including the cost of renting a parking lot and setting up a storage container for the bikes, as well as buying wireless headphones, "I'm just hoping that people show up and it's worth it."

"[It's been] almost 16 months of not being able to operate, we're just so excited to be outside to do something," she said as she tested the equipment this week.

  • Ontario to begin reopening Friday as 3rd wave of COVID-19 recedes
  • Rehiring is finally on the table for more restaurants — but not all workers are coming back

Scott MacKillop, owner of Barely Bruised Books in Ottawa, is also ready to reopen and recalled the many sacrifices he made during the lockdowns that were imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The store had to cancel its open-mic poetry night, live music, an Indigenous book club called All Nations and its philosophy group meetings.

ontario government business reopening plan

One of the biggest hassles has been getting a new website up and running to sell the store's used books online. MacKillop said he's spent more than $33,000 trying to stay in business, without generating much revenue in return.

"I spent all my savings," he said.

Bars and restaurants in Toronto and other Ontario hot spots experienced a bit of whiplash in late March when patios were allowed to reopen — only to be forced to close again just days later.

WATCH | Ontario moves to get ahead of COVID-19 variants as more businesses reopen:

ontario government business reopening plan

Ontario moves to get ahead of latest COVID-19 threat as more businesses reopen

The first stage in the province's reopening plan means non-essential retail will be able to reopen at 15 per cent capacity. The plan also comes with other conditions:

  • Only stores with street access can welcome customers inside.
  • Stores inside malls have to stay closed.
  • Outdoor patio service will be allowed for up to four people per table, unless they're from the same household.
  • Group exercise and day camps for children can also begin again.

Dan Kelly, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, is calling on people to put pressure on the provincial government to "immediately open other low-risk businesses," such as hair and nail salons.

Those businesses won't be allowed to reopen until Step 2 of the plan, which is supposed to go into effect in early July.

In a tweet Thursday, Kelly said the province should also allow shops in malls to open, as other jurisdictions in Canada have done. He also said that "the world's longest lockdown needs a faster end."

And let's all put pressure on <a href="https://twitter.com/fordnation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fordnation</a> to immediately open other low-risk businesses, including allowing shops in malls to open (as is in place in the rest of Canada), hair/nail salons and some gym/recreational activities. The world's longest lockdown needs a faster end. &mdash; @CFIB

At least one medical expert says businesses may now be able to escape the trend of one lockdown after another.

"The big difference is that we have vaccines," said epidemiologist Ashleigh Tuite from the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health. "We don't have a fully vaccinated population yet, but we do have a lot of people with at least one dose of vaccine.

"And that's a really important mitigation tool. It helps reduce transmission."

With files from CBC's Jacqueline Hansen

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ontario government business reopening plan

Ontario announces Stage 3 of economic re-opening plan

Ontario license plate with the blue letters CAJA 723 on a white background

The Ontario government has announced it is moving to Stage Three of its economic re-opening plan. Once again, the move will come days ahead of schedule.

The re-opening will come July 16. The announcement comes just days after the government of Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province still wasn't ready for Stage Three and just after a cabinet meeting.

In a statement, Ford said thanks to the efforts of frontline workers and the high rate of vaccinations, targets for re-opening were surpassed.

Retailers will be able to admit as many customers as possible, but still keeping social distancing. Indoor dining will re-open, as well as religious services and personal care services. Cinemas, museums, amusement parks, gyms and recreational facilities will be allowed to re-open at 50% capacity. Sport venues can host up to 1,000 people indoors and 15,000 outdoors.

But the province's top doctor, Kieren Moore, has a caution.

"Face coverings in indoor public settings and physical distancing requirements remain in place throughout step three," Moore said. "This is because of the ongoing threat of the Delta strain of COVID."

Stage Three will last for at least 21 days. Officials said to move forward from there every public health unit should have at least 70% of its populations fully vaccinated.

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Announcement of Pandemic Restrictions Being Lifted in Ontario Good News for Retailers and Foodservice Businesses: Interviews

ontario government business reopening plan

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The lifting of some public health restrictions in Ontario is welcome news to thousands of small businesses that have been hit hard over the past two years due to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective March 1, Ontario intends to end proof of vaccination requirements for all settings. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date, the government announced on Monday.

Dan Kelly , President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business , said the organization is pleased with the latest development, which he described as a positive step toward recovery and welcome news to the province’s small businesses.

ontario government business reopening plan

“Removing business restrictions is a big step, but just the first in a small business recovery plan. Only 33 per cent of the province’s small businesses have returned to normal sales levels. The average Ontario small business has taken on nearly $170,000 in new debt just to survive the past two years, and many are dealing with ongoing challenges related to labour shortages, supply chain disruptions, and rising prices.

We urge the Ontario government to back up today’s announcement with a stay-open plan to provide clarity and certainty as we continue to manage the pandemic. This would include ensuring there is adequate healthcare capacity to avoid any renewed restrictions or business closures in the future,” said Kelly.

“We also call on the Ontario government to make efforts to boost consumer confidence over the weeks ahead. After two years of uncertainty, government messaging needs to shift to encouraging the safe return to activities like dining in restaurants, going to the gym or the movies, attending events, and traveling, so that our small businesses can finally begin the long road to recovery.”

Kelly said the latest CFIB survey data shows that 74 per cent of Ontario’s small businesses believe it’s time for capacity restrictions to be lifted and 

66 per cent of Ontario’s small businesses believe it’s time for proof-of-vaccination requirements to be eliminated.

ontario government business reopening plan

Rocco Rossi , President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce,  said lifting COVID-19-related business restrictions sooner than initially planned is positive news for Ontario business and economic recovery. 

“To ensure a sustainable reopening of Ontario’s economy, it is critical the Government of Ontario also has a comprehensive and clear plan so businesses can safely reopen and stay open,” said Rossi. “The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis have created an unstable and unpredictable environment for Ontario business. Meanwhile, vulnerabilities such as inflation, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions, have been exacerbated by the global state of emergency. 

“The impact of all of this on business and consumer confidence is reflected in our Ontario Economic Report with only 29 per cent of businesses being confident in Ontario’s economic outlook for 2022. The plan to reduce restrictions will only be successful if it is accompanied by the necessary measures to support business predictability, build public confidence and sustain the reopening.”

ontario government business reopening plan

The restaurant industry also welcomed the Ontario government’s announcement. 

“Operators are looking forward to fully reopening their restaurants to serve their customers. By announcing a timeline for an end to the vaccine verification requirements, restaurants can begin to make business plans to move into recovery,” said James Rilett , Vice President, Central Canada for Restaurants Canada.

“It is our sincere hope that we will not face future restrictions and the industry can begin on the road to once again be a leader in jobs and economic growth.”

ontario government business reopening plan

Michelle Wasylyshen , national spokeswoman for the Retail Council of Canada, said Ontario businesses have suffered under the strain of constant disruptions over the last two years. 

“The challenges they have had to overcome have included COVID-19, extreme weather events, increasing inflationary pressures, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions,” she said. “As such, we are pleased with the Ontario government’s announcement today regarding the continued easing of restrictions. We are hopeful that the path forward is one of optimism as retailers are simply eager to get back to serving their customers in a way that is free from disruptions.”

Ontario also announced the following effective February 17:

  • Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors;
  • Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors;
  • Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
  • Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
  • Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
  • Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
  • Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements;
  • Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
  • Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres;
  • Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs; and 
  • Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.

Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain a two-metre physical distance.

“Given how well Ontario has done in the Omicron wave we are able to fast track our reopening plan,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “This is great news and a sign of just how far we’ve come together in our fight against the virus. While we aren’t out of the woods just yet we are moving in the right direction.”

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Two-thirds of Ontario small businesses say the province’s reopening plan is too slow

Two-thirds of ontario small businesses say the province’s reopening plan is too slow | cfib.

Toronto, June 8, 2021   – Ontario’s slow pace of reopening is driving the province further behind the rest of the country, according to the latest data on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)’s   Small Business Recovery Dashboard . Two thirds of Ontario business owners say reopening is not happening fast enough, compared to only one-third of businesses in BC and 23 per cent in Quebec.

“Ontario businesses are incredibly frustrated as they have had little or no opportunity to make sales, while the rest of the country is reopening much faster,” said CFIB president Dan Kelly. “At this rate, many provinces will be back to normal business operations before Ontarians can even get a haircut. We need to pick up the pace now, or many businesses won’t even make it to reopening.”

*PEI not included due to smaller sample size.

“Yesterday’s announcement that Step 1 of Ontario’s reopening plan will start Friday was much-needed good news for restaurants and retailers, but gyms, hair salons, barbers, stores located in malls without a street-facing entrance and many others remain closed,” added Kelly. “Most of these low-risk business activities have been open for weeks or months in other provinces, or, like retail in BC, never closed at all during the pandemic.”

CFIB is urging the Ontario government to:

  • Add hair salons, barbers and other personal care services to the reopening list for this Friday. 
  • Add some capacity for gyms, fitness, and dance studios this weekend.
  • Add limited capacity this Friday for indoor dining as is in place in most provinces.
  • Immediately provide retailers in malls with no street-facing entrance with an option for in-person sales.
  • Shorten the three-week interval between further rounds of reopening and bring in a new, faster plan that is more in line with other provinces. 
  • Immediately add a third round of Ontario Small Business Support Grant funding to help those facing ongoing restrictions as they reopen.
  • Resurrect the PPE grant at a greater amount to help businesses with the potentially high cost of safe reopening. 

“The level of anger and despair we’re hearing from business owners is alarming. They are watching their life’s work crumble due to the province’s inaction. The Ontario government needs to let more businesses reopen more quickly, so they can catch up to their counterparts in the rest of the country,” concluded Kelly.    For media enquiries or interviews, please contact: Milena Stanoeva, CFIB 647-464-2814 [email protected]

Source for CFIB data Preliminary results for Your Voice – June 2021 survey. The online survey started June 3, 2021, n = 2,989. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/-1.8%, 19 times out of 20.

About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses with 95,000 members across every industry and region, including 38,000 in Ontario. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.

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Small business rent crisis demands a provincial grant and expanded federal support as covid-19 restrictions continue, three-quarters of ontario businesses say the provincial government has done a poor job of communicating its new disconnecting from work legislation, cfib calls on ontario to build a plan to carefully reopen small business and expand the small business support grant.

ontario government business reopening plan

Businesses relieved as Ontario moves to Step 3 of reopening plan, but ‘still have a long road ahead’

This article was published more than 2 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

ontario government business reopening plan

The provincial government announced on Friday that as of July 16, essential and non-essential retail and personal-care services will be able to operate with no capacity restrictions as long as physical distancing is maintained, and indoor dining will be permitted for the first time in months. ALEX FILIPE/Reuters

Business owners applauded Ontario’s decision to move to Step 3 of its reopening plan next Friday, but there remains a long road to recovery for many.

The provincial government announced on Friday that as of July 16, essential and non-essential retail and personal-care services will be able to operate with no capacity restrictions as long as physical distancing is maintained, and indoor dining will be permitted for the first time in months.

“This really is like oxygen for our retailers,” said Diane Brisebois, president and chief executive officer of industry group the Retail Council of Canada. “It was extremely important to get them to reopen as quickly as possible.”

But some Ontarians may be hesitant to return to normal, and some restrictions remain, said Dan Kelly, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “They still have a long road ahead.”

While the new rules lift the 25-per-cent capacity restrictions for non-essential retailers, stores will still have to limit the number of customers in order to ensure they comply with two-metre distancing requirements.

“What’s more important is that it’s a signal to consumers to have more confidence, and to feel as a society that we’re reopening,” said David Bensadoun, chief executive officer of Montreal-based Aldo Group Inc. He has seen the impact as stores have reopened in the U.S.: in May, for example, nine out of Aldo’s top-10 selling items there were dress shoes with heels; in Canada, eight out of 10 were flats.

“For fashion retail, the capacity is one thing; another thing is, are people living life again?” Mr. Bensadoun said. “Do they want to celebrate, and wear something other than sweatpants?”

As COVID-19 recedes, Ontario speeds up reopening plans

As Ontario moves to Stage 3 of its COVID-19 reopening plan, theatres will open in time for the summer box office

At Civello Salons, moving from 25-per-cent capacity to two-metre distancing rules will make a big difference, said chief executive officer Ray Civello. But staffing is a challenge: After months of shutdowns, many people left the industry or struck out on their own with in-home services. Mr. Civello’s staffing levels are 75 per cent of what they were.

“We’re looking at how to be attractive to youth, to come and work with us,” he said. “… At the forefront of our thinking is training and developing more talent.”

Gyms and other fitness facilities will be allowed to open for indoor service on Friday, at 50-per-cent capacity.

“The phone has been ringing non-stop with people asking, are we open?” said Carrie Percival, senior instructor at the Academy of Martial Arts in Brampton. During the pandemic, the school began offering online classes, and has run outdoor classes since June. It has also expanded its business by offering corporate Tai Chi classes online.

“Everyone is talking about physical fitness, but a big part of martial arts is about mental health as well,” Ms. Percival said.

For some businesses, reopening will not be immediate. Corner Peach, a restaurant in Ottawa, converted its space to a bodega during the pandemic, selling things such as wine, sourdough bread and take-home meals.

“We switched to a store because we couldn’t deal with the back and forth – open, close,” said co-owner Caroline Murphy. She and her business partner are currently expanding into the space next door to keep the shop going, but won’t reopen the restaurant right away. They are planning some renovations first.

“We’re thinking of reassessing the seating arrangements so that people can be more separate – possibly putting in booths,” she said.

Amer Diab, co-owner of the Three Speed bar in Toronto, is taking a cautious approach.

He said the pub may not open as much as it could, “as far as capacity is concerned.”

In March, when outdoor dining was opened up in Toronto and Peel Region, Mr. Diab gathered his staff to discuss whether they should open for patio service – and decided they did not yet feel safe doing so. (Within a couple of weeks, the province pulled an “emergency brake,” shutting down outdoor dining across Ontario.) They began outdoor service in June at roughly 25 per cent of their patio capacity.

Now, Mr. Diab plans to talk to his staff again about whether to resume some indoor seating.

“There are decisions made for business, and decisions made for public health, and they’re not always the same decisions,” he said. “We’re trying first and foremost to make sure the staff feel safe.”

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COVID-19: Ontario government announces three-stage plan for reopening province's economy

In stage one, 'select workplaces' that can immediately modify their operations to meet physical-distancing requirements will be allowed to open

Article content

OTTAWA — The premiers of Canada’s two largest provinces announced plans to begin reopening their societies in the wake of COVID-19, but both cautioned it will be a long time until things get back to normal.

Quebec Premier François Legault said some elementary schools would start reopening on May 11 and on Tuesday he is due to outline a plan for businesses. Ontario Premier Doug Ford released a roadmap to reopening his province but it was short on specifics.

COVID-19: Ontario government announces three-stage plan for reopening province's economy Back to video

Even with the limited steps toward lifting restrictions, nobody should expect to attend large sports games or concerts anytime soon, and it’s unlikely high schools and universities will be hosting students before the fall.

Unlike the rest of Canada, Ontario and Quebec are still seeing hundreds of new COVID-19 cases every day, though officials in each province believe they are at the peak and expect the rate to start falling soon.

Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, where cases have slowed to barely a trickle, have both already announced plans to gradually reopen, and other smaller-population provinces are expected to follow shortly.

Ontario released a “Framework for Reopening our Province” on Monday, a document setting out the public health principles behind its decision-making. It outlined a three-stage reopening process, but there were no dates attached to the stages, no indication of which stage would include schools and daycares, and few details about which sectors of the economy will be first.

“This is a roadmap, it’s not a calendar,” Ford said.

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“The framework is about how we’re reopening, not when we’re reopening. Let me be crystal clear: As long as this virus remains a threat to Ontario, we will continue to take every precaution necessary.”

A two-to-four week decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases is one of the conditions before reopening can start. Ontario reported 424 new cases on Monday, a number that has slowly been edging down over the past few days.

Legault, meanwhile, announced on Monday that elementary schools will start reopening outside of Montreal on May 11, and inside Montreal — where the pandemic has hit hardest — on May 19. Attendance will be voluntary, and classes will have a maximum of 15 students each. Secondary and post-secondary schools will remain closed until at least August.

“We are opening schools for social reasons and because the situation is under control, particularly in the hospital system,” Legault said. “The key words are gradual and prudence, prudence, prudence.”

Quebec is expected to release a reopening plan for businesses on Tuesday. The province reported 875 new cases on Monday, continuing the trend of Quebec having far more cases than any other province. The province’s daily case count has been increasing over the past couple days, but has largely levelled off over the past week.

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Both premiers stressed that the steps toward reopening are conditional on steadily improving capacity to test and do contact tracing, and could quickly be paused or reversed if large new outbreaks are detected. The steps are also conditional on having plenty of room and equipment available in hospitals to handle any unexpected surges.

Ontario’s framework has three steps in its reopening phase, but the plan has far less detail than seen in the plans released by Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Each step is expected to take two to four weeks. “This staged approach reflects Ontario’s ‘new normal,'” the document says.

In stage one, unspecified “select workplaces” can reopen if they can immediately modify their operations to meet physical-distancing requirements, such as using curb-side pickup or delivery. Some outdoor spaces such as parks will be opened, and a greater number of people will be allowed to attend events such as funerals. Hospitals will start rescheduling some surgeries and other postponed medical services.

Stage two will see more workplaces allowed to open, including some service industries as well as retail and office workplaces. More outdoor spaces will open and larger public gatherings will be allowed.

In stage three, all workplaces will be reopened and restrictions on public gatherings will be relaxed further. However, large gatherings such as concerts and sporting events will “continue to be restricted for the foreseeable future,” the document says.

In deciding how to proceed through the stages, the Ontario government will look at four key categories.

The first category, “virus spread and containment,” will look for a consistent two-to-four week decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases, a decrease in the rate of cases that cannot be traced to a source, and a decrease in new cases in hospitals.

The second is “health system capacity,” which involves ensuring there are enough personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, etc.), and critical care beds and ventilators, to handle any surges in COVID-19 cases.

The third, “public health system capacity,” focuses on having enough public health officials to do effective contact tracing of new cases — to the point where 90 per cent of a new case’s recent contacts can be reached within one day.

Finally, “incidence tracking capacity” will ensure that any new outbreaks are detected quickly. This depends on maintaining high testing rates as well as a “shift to new and other ways of testing and contact tracing to promote widespread tracking of cases.” The document does not elaborate on what these new methods might be, but making use of cell phone location data is the type of thing that officials are already considering.

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Ontario Announces Reopening Plan and End to the State of Emergency

On february 8, 2021, the government of ontario announced the upcoming end to its state of emergency, as regions will begin reopening according to ontario’s colour-coded covid-19 restriction framework. the government of ontario also announced amendments to this framework..

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On February 8, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced the upcoming end to its state of emergency , as regions will begin reopening according to Ontario’s colour-coded COVID-19 restriction framework. The Government of Ontario also announced amendments to this framework.

Between February 10, 2021, and February 22, 2021, public health units across Ontario will be placed into colour-coded zones depending on regional COVID-19 case counts. The Ontario government has also amended its most strict zone to help retail businesses reopen. Until each public health region is placed back into the colour-coded framework, it will remain in what is now called the “Shutdown Zone.” No changes have been made to this level.

Current Plan for Reopening by Public Health Unit

Effective February 10, 2021, the stay-at-home order will be lifted in some regions. The following regions will move into the Green-Prevent Zone, which is the category in which the fewest restrictions apply:

  • Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
  • Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox and Addington Public Health
  • Renfrew County and District Health Unit

Effective February 16, 2021, the stay-at-home order will be lifted in 28 other regions, with the exception of Toronto, Peel, and York. Regions slated to reopen on February 16, 2021, will enter the colour-coded zone at a level that reflects the regional COVID-19 case count at that time.

For Toronto, Peel, and York regions, in which COVID-19 infection rates are the highest, the stay-at-home order will be lifted on February 22, 2021, and these regions will also enter the colour-coded zone that reflects the regional COVID-19 case count at that time.

Changes to the Colour-Coded Zones

In addition to announcing plans for the end of the province-wide state of emergency and stay-at-home order, the Ontario government has made several amendments to the rules governing how businesses are permitted to operate upon reopening.

All open businesses must develop a written COVID-19 safety plan, with some businesses (including retail) required to post it in a conspicuous location in the workplace and others required only to have it available upon request. Businesses must also ensure that individuals “maintain at least two metres of physical distance and wear … face covering[s].”

The Government of Ontario has also indicated that it will require businesses to ensure that their screening protocols are “in compliance with any advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health or other public health official.” This advice is not currently outlined in full detail and may be subject to future changes, but it currently includes the following:

  • “[p]osting signs at all entrances to the premises, in a location visible to the public, that informs individuals on how to screen themselves for COVID-19 prior to entering the premises”;
  • “screening every person who works at the business or organization before they enter the premises”; and
  • “screening patrons entering indoor malls” in the Red-Control and Orange-Restrict Zones.

It is not entirely clear which businesses must engage in active screening versus passive screening, but all businesses are required to engage in screenings. Retailers must also implement passive screening for patrons attempting to enter a store, such as self-screening signage.

Changes to Retail Restrictions and Work-From-Home Requirements in the Grey Zone

The Ontario government also announced changes permitting in-person shopping at retailers, as long as capacity is limited to 25 percent.

Retailers, such as “supermarkets and other stores that primarily sell groceries, convenience stores, and pharmacies” are now subject to a 50 percent capacity limit.

If retailers open under the new Grey Zone restrictions, they must:

  • publicly post the capacity limit;
  • implement passive screening for patrons (except indoor malls, where active screening is required);
  • ensure physical distancing of at least two metres is maintained and that patrons wear face coverings;
  • if the store is within a shopping mall, ensure there is no loitering; and
  • create a COVID-19 safety plan and post it in a conspicuous location in the workplace.

Further, the amended Grey Zone does not explicitly require that employees work remotely, but it still requires that businesses follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) respecting remote work. Employers may want to continue to monitor the advice of the CMOH to ensure that they comply with remote working requirements.

Businesses in the Shutdown Zone continue to be under mandatory work-from-home measures and are required to ensure that employees work remotely unless the nature of their work necessitates on-site workplace attendance.

Additional Changes for Retailers in Red-Control Zones

In addition to the general restrictions outlined above, the Red-Control Zone has a few additional restrictions that affect in-person shopping capacity. If a public health unit is placed in the Red-Control Zone, retailers must ensure capacity does not exceed:

  • 50 percent for nonessential retail, including “discount and big box retailers, liquor stores, hardware stores, and garden centres”; and
  • 75 percent for “supermarkets and other stores that primarily sell groceries, convenience stores, and pharmacies.”

“Emergency Brake” System

On top of these framework changes, the government has also introduced an “ emergency brake ” system. This brake empowers “the Chief Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the local medical officer of health, [to] advise immediately moving a region back into Grey-Lockdown” if “rapid acceleration in COVID-19 transmission” occurs or Ontario’s “health care system risks being overwhelmed.” This emergency brake system will provide “an extra layer of protection” and aim to contain any outbreaks before they spread province-wide. It remains to be clarified whether this brake system will send units into the Shutdown Zone or Grey Zone restrictions now distinguished in the amended O. Reg. 82/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 1 . It is unclear as of publication what the legal mechanism will be for implementing this emergency break.

Ogletree Deakins will continue to monitor and report on developments with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic and will post updates in the firm’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center as additional information becomes available. Important information for employers is also available via the firm’s webinar and podcast programs.

Please note that this article was published before the relevant amendments to the regulations under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 and other relevant laws were enacted, and is based on the available guidance as of February 10, 2021 .

Michael C. Comartin is a partner in the Toronto office of Ogletree Deakins .

Christina S. Persad is an associate in the Toronto office of Ogletree Deakins.

Caroline M. DeBruin is a 2020 graduate of Queen’s University, Faculty of Law, and an articling student in the Toronto office of Ogletree Deakins .

ontario government business reopening plan

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The Toronto Observer

Small businesses suffer under the weight of the Ontario government’s lockdown restrictions

These 2 small business owners say more funding and a fair reopening plan is needed.

ontario government business reopening plan

By Nandita Sharma June 18, 2021

The spread of COVID-19 in Ontario has been the reason for government-mandated restrictions on non-essential services since mid-March 2020.

The lockdowns, deemed necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 according to public health officials, have been hard on small businesses, threatening the livelihoods of small business owners and their staff, including the permanent closure of many businesses. During the first half of 2021, frustrations around repeated lockdowns peaked. Many small business owners felt neglected after an ‘ emergency break ’ lockdown was announced after a previous lockdown in early April. Petitions for a safe plan to open their businesses started to emerge to fight back, including one from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB), who started a petition addressed to Ontario Premier Doug Ford. 

The petition reads: “ Enough is enough. Never-ending lockdowns are crushing my business and our local economy. Ontario’s reopening plan, (“ Roadmap to Reopen “) reads more like a plan to make the province the last jurisdiction on the continent to allow even a trickle of business activity to resume. This is not the glimmer of hope that many small businesses were desperate to see.”

“I hope there will be government incentives to help small businesses, especially artistic venues,” said Coko Galore, who runs Bad Dog Theatre Company in Toronto, who also would like to see more incentives for business owners. “Our entire livelihood and industry disappeared overnight, and the reopening plans are challenging for the arts because we have to do prep stuff. Especially for businesses like Bad Dog because we lost our venue.” 

Toronto business owner Pegah Akbari, the owner of a pastry and baked goods company called Peu de Creme, believes when it comes to lockdowns small businesses are at a disadvantage compared to the big guys.

“While the lockdown hasn’t been easy for any business, it’s been disproportionately difficult for smaller independent businesses,” said Akbari, who started her business in March 2020 when the first lockdown order was announced in Ontario.  

“While so many larger companies had the means to switch over to online stores and delivery services, many small businesses that relied on their storefront really took a lethal hit, she said. “While I was lucky enough that this didn’t affect my small business directly, I also often found that the business closure guidelines put out were so wide-sweeping, and with such a broad brush stroke, that it didn’t even give many small businesses a chance despite their concerted efforts to abide by all required safety measures.” 

Akbari, who operates her business out of her home, said these factors will affect how she votes in the next election cycle.  “Among many other factors related to the decisions made in the handling of the pandemic, treatment towards small businesses during lockdown will also impact the direction that I vote in,” she said.  

To help small businesses stay afloat, the Ford administration announced the Small Business Support Grant in December of 2020 and the portal to apply was launched in January. For those who are eligible, the grant is a one-time only payment of between $10,000 to $20,000 depending on their recorded losses. According to the site, eligible small businesses include those that:

  • Were required to close or significantly restrict services due to the Provincewide Shutdown being imposed across the province effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26.
  • Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level.
  • Have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019. New businesses established since April 2019 will also be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria.

The response to these incentives however has been mixed.

“The government has provided some aid like the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and the Main Street Relief Grant, but the window to apply for some of these was so small and the one-time financial aid that they provided is negligible for most small businesses that are struggling or are on the tipping point of foreclosure,” Akbari said. “I’d like long-term incentives – measures that can help businesses throughout the duration of lockdown.” 

While it is a start, these two small business owners say the need for incentives is exceeding what is being offered. Small businesses are mobilizing and vocalizing their struggles in hopes that they will receive an adequate response.

Read more from Spotlight on Small Biz:

  • This Toronto theatre-maker is staying ‘booked and blessed’ during the pandemic
  • Small business selling journals and planners hopes to reach Canadian customers this month
  • From mom to surrogate to fertility counsellor

About this article

By: Nandita Sharma Posted: Jun 18 2021 12:31 pm Edition: Toronto Filed under: Government • Spotlight On Small Biz Topics: Baker • comedy • Government • lockdown • small business

Monkhouse Law

Ontario Reopening Plan: How to Return to Work After COVID-19

ontario government business reopening plan

  • Opening up select workplaces that were ordered to close and that can meet current public health guidelines, opening some outdoor spaces, allowing some small gatherings, and permitting hospitals to begin offering some non-urgent and scheduled surgeries,
  • Opening more workplaces (which may include service industries and retail workplaces) and outdoor spaces and allowing some larger public gatherings, and
  • Opening all workplaces responsibly and further relaxing restrictions on gatherings while continuing protections for vulnerable populations.

Recently, on May 3, 2020, the Alberta government published helpful Workplace Guidance for Business Owners to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among workers, volunteers and patrons. The document outlines the criteria that should be addressed in individual, written workplace policies and procedures established to address the COVID-19 pandemic response and may constitute useful guidance for workplaces all over Canada.

On May 14, 2020, Ontario provided details on Stage 1 of reopening .

As early say Saturday May 16 some recreational businesses such as gold courses, marinas, private parks and campgrounds are able to open.  Then on Tuesday May 19 the ‘first stage’ of reopening will take place and will allow the opening of:

  • Retail services that are not in shopping malls and have separate street-front entrances with measures in place that can enable physical distancing, such as limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time and booking appointments beforehand or on the spot.
  • Seasonal businesses and recreational activities for individual or single competitors, including training and sport competitions conducted by a recognized national or provincial sport organization. This includes indoor and outdoor non-team sport competitions that can be played while maintaining physical distancing and without spectators, such as tennis, track and field and horse racing.
  • Animal services, specifically pet care services, such as grooming and training, and regular veterinary appointments.
  • Indoor and outdoor household services that can follow public health guidelines, such as housekeepers, cooks, cleaning and maintenance.
  • Lifting essential workplace limits on construction.
  • Allowing certain health and medical services to resume, such as in-person counselling; in-person services, in addition to virtual services, delivered by health professionals; and scheduled surgeries, all based on the ability to meet pre-specified conditions as outlined in  A Measured Approach to Planning for Surgeries and Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic .

Importantly for employers, the provincial government also released a list of 90 safety guidance documents which are organized by sector.

As Ontario is reopening, we provide some helpful pointers for businesses to consider in this article.

1. Phased Approach – Plans for Expansion and Restriction

It’s a marathon, prepare for reopening and contraction: have clearly communicated expansion and restriction plan to increase and decrease the number of employees in the workplace.

While the provincial government is expected to provide detailed instructions on when and how workplaces will open, it is important for employers to also do their part in limiting the spread and taking measures to ease into reopening. On June 16, 2020, the Ontario Government released a Guide on How to Develop a Workplace Safety Plan, to help employers to ensure that the workplace is safer for everyone.

Employers should consider a phased approach for employees returning to work. This could take various forms, for example, dividing specific days or weeks for small groups of employees to return to the workplace and slowing increasing the groups of employees over several weeks.

Keep in mind that while there should be a plan to expand, there should also be a communicated plan to restrict should the provincial government need to implement restrictions again based on a second wave of the virus.

2. Needs of your employees 

Reopening requires open communication: proactive communication may reduce workplace stress and increase productivity.

a. Open Communication

The virus has been a disruption and a source of unease for everyone. Be open with your employees. For any reopening plan to work, you will need buy-in from your workforce.

Communicate often, freely and openly, for example through the Joint Health and Safety Committee. A Joint Health and Safety Committee is required under workplace health and safety legislation and they will be particularly useful during this time to allow for managerial and employee communication. Your workplace may also find use in a dedicated COVID-19 committee with representation across your organization to discuss return to work policies, procedures and concerns.

During COVID-19 the Ministry of Labour has seen a massive increase in work stoppages, including the TTC which saw bus drivers refuse to work due to alleged unsafe conditions. According to an article in the Toronto Star , none of the work refusals have been allowed by the Ministry of Labour but the Ministry has issued many orders to employers requiring them to implement safer measures.

An employee is not able to refuse to return to the workplace merely out of fear of contagion. Implementing proactive measures will not only ensure an employer’s compliance with health and safety legislation but communicating what is being done to employees will also reduce disruptions due to refusals to work.

More information on whether an employee can refuse to come to work is included in Monkhouse Law’s post:  COVID-19 and the Workplace: What Employees Need to Know.

b. Updates to Healthy and Safety Policies

Occupational Health and Safety obligations including the obligation to take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of your employees, should be top of mind. In addition to the province’s safety guidelines, employers will need to consider their specific circumstances and how to implement the provincial recommendations.

Employers should consider implementing a specific increased sick leave policy requiring employees to stay home with pay if they are symptomatic. Daily health checks where an employee self declares that they are experiencing any symptoms may also be effective at keeping health at the top of everyone’s mind.

Employers should also consider implementing a procedure for how to deal with attendance issues or work refusals to address employee concerns efficiently and ensure consistency in how decisions are made across the organization.

c. Human Rights Considerations

As it seems unlikely that schools will be back before summer vacation, child-care concerns may continue to impact some employees even when provincial restrictions are loosened. These employees should be accommodated to allow them to continue to participate in the workplace remotely where possible.

Other human rights considerations could also arise including the need to care for sick family members or specific concerns for employees who may have underlying health conditions putting them at a higher risk.

Employers should be proactive to identify issues that may arise in their workplace and provide a framework for how those employees will be accommodated.

3. Maintain Social Distancing Before During and After Working Hours

Think of physical distancing every step of the way.

When employees return, consider your workspace layout and seek to maximize space to allow employees to practise distancing.

In a phased approach, while the office is not attended at full capacity employees should be encouraged to spread out around the office. Meetings with staff or with others should be limited, and where possible, possible conducted via teleconference, or, if necessary in person, conducted in an area with plenty of space. Video conferencing should be encouraged. Consider cancelling business travel altogether until there are no travel restrictions.

The ability to maintain social distancing is not just an in-office consideration but may also include transportation to the office or for meetings. Consider allowing employees to commute at off-peak traffic times or provide alternatives to public transportation through taxi chits or parking reimbursement.

4. Increase Cleanliness

Reopening: Implementing constant cleaning procedures during and after work.

Employers should also consider creating specific handwashing and wipe down policies. Part of the increased cleanliness measures could include making hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes or spray available and implementing daily or even hourly cleaning of high traffic areas.

If your workplace requires the public to access the space, consider allowing employees to wear masks or providing clear dividers to allow your employees to interact with members of the public safely.

Some of the suggestions above will inevitably increase costs for employers. Monkhouse Law’s post on Employers Frequently Asked Questions About Employment and COVID-19 provides useful information on government programs to help employers with these costs, including the wage subsidy, work sharing plans and small business loans.

About the Author: Samantha Lucifora is an Employment Lawyer and Senior Associate who helps employers with workplace investigations, drafting and implementing workplace policies and employment contracts. Alexandra Monkhouse is an Employment Lawyer and Partner who specializes in employment law.

Monkhouse Law is a boutique employment law firm and we are ready to help you prepare to reopen your business safely. Contact us for a free 30 minute consultation.

Call us for a FREE 30 minute phone consultation at 416-907-9249 or submit a callback request

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Government announces Canada Carbon Rebate amounts for 2024-25

From: Department of Finance Canada

News release

In addition to the base Canada Carbon Rebate amounts, starting this year, the federal government is proposing, through legislative amendments in Bill C-59, to double the rural top-up to 20 per cent, in recognition of rural Canadians’ higher energy needs and more limited access to cleaner transportation options.

February 14, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

Today, the federal government announced the Canada Carbon Rebate amounts for 2024-25.

The Canada Carbon Rebate (previously known as the Climate Action Incentive Payment) returns fuel charge proceeds to Canadians through direct deposit or cheque, every three months, ensuring most households get more money back, with lower-income households benefiting the most. All direct proceeds are returned in the province of origin. Starting this April, a family of four will receive Canada Carbon Rebates of:

  • $1,800 in Alberta ($450 quarterly);
  • $1,200 in Manitoba ($300 quarterly);
  • $1,120 in Ontario ($280 quarterly);
  • $1,504 in Saskatchewan ($376 quarterly);
  • $760 in New Brunswick ($190 quarterly);
  • $824 in Nova Scotia ($206 quarterly);
  • $880 in Prince Edward Island ($220 quarterly); and,
  • $1,192 in Newfoundland and Labrador ($298 quarterly).

This year’s Canada Carbon Rebate amounts reflect the temporary pause of the fuel charge on deliveries of home heating oil that came into effect on November 9, 2023. In Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador—where households more often rely on home heating oil— rebate amounts have been adjusted to reflect expected fuel charge proceeds in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24. In all other provinces where the federal fuel charge applies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick), Canada Carbon Rebate amounts have increased.

The federal government is encouraging financial institutions to consistently label the Canada Carbon Rebate direct deposits that Canadians receive in their bank accounts every three months.

“When carbon pollution pricing is done right—as we are doing here in Canada—it effectively reduces emissions and makes life more affordable for Canadians by ensuring they receive more back than they pay. That’s why every three months, we are delivering hundreds of dollars back to families through the Canada Carbon Rebate—which gives eight out of 10 families more back than they pay—while ensuring big polluters pay their fair share.” - The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
“The Canada Carbon Rebate puts more money in your pocket every three months. It was created to make big polluters pay and give that money back to Canadian families. And it's working. This is how we're making life more affordable and cleaning the air we breathe.” - The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Labour and Seniors
“Putting a price on pollution is the lowest-cost way to reduce the pollution causing climate change, while putting more money in the pockets of Canadians. It is a cornerstone of our climate plan, accounting for about one third of all our emission reductions by 2030. Without Canada’s revenue-neutral carbon pricing system, the cost to Canadians and the Canadian economy to achieve our emissions reduction goals by other means would be far greater.” - The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Canadians who live in rural areas face unique challenges, travelling longer distances for school, work, and groceries. Doubling the rural top up makes sure they have the help they need.” - The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development

Quick facts

The Canada Carbon Rebate (previously known as the Climate Action Incentive Payment) is how the federal government returns the proceeds of carbon pollution pricing to families in provinces where the federal backstop system applies.

  • The name was updated to the Canada Carbon Rebate to clarify its function, and make its meaning and relationship to the carbon pricing system more intuitive for Canadians.

The federal fuel charge is implemented in provinces that request it or that do not have a carbon pricing system that meets the federal benchmark. All direct proceeds from the fuel charge are returned in the jurisdiction where they were collected. 

Through the Canada Carbon Rebate, eight out of 10 families in backstop provinces receive more money back than they pay into the system, with lower-income households benefiting the most.

In addition to the Canada Carbon Rebate, the Government of Canada continues to support households in cutting energy costs through various initiatives, including financial assistance for home retrofits, energy efficient electric heat pumps, and zero-emission vehicles. 

On October 26, 2023, the Prime Minister announced a series of new measures to lower energy bills for Canadians, and provide more time and new support to help Canadians transition to cleaner, more affordable home heating options. These measures include:

  • Temporarily pausing the federal fuel charge on deliveries of heating oil —in all provinces and territories where it currently applies—as of November 9, 2023. This pause provides more time and financial support for households using home heating oil to switch to heat pumps, and is estimated to save a Canadian household using 1,500 litres of home heating oil $261 in 2023-24;
  • Doubling the rural top-up for the Canada Carbon Rebate from 10 per cent to 20 per cent;
  • Making the average heat pump free to help low- to median-income Canadians switch off of home heating oil, in provinces and territories that have agreed to support the delivery of enhanced federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability grants of up to $15,000, in addition to up to $5,000 in provincial or territorial grants.
  • Incentivizing the switch to heat pumps with $250 upfront payments for low-to median-income Canadians who heat their homes with oil and sign up for a heat pump through a joint federal-provincial government program.

Related products

  • Backgrounder: Canada Carbon Rebate amounts for 2024-25
  • October 26, 2023: Delivering support for Canadians on energy bills
  • November 3, 2023: Lowering energy bills for Canadians across the country

Media may contact:

Katherine Cuplinskas Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance [email protected]

Media Relations Department of Finance Canada [email protected] 613-369-4000

General enquiries:

Phone: 1-833-712-2292 TTY: 613-369-3230 E-mail:  [email protected]

Stay Connected

Twitter: @financecanada

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  1. What you need to know about Ontario’s reopening plan

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  2. Ontario doubling limit on gatherings, more businesses to reopen in next

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  3. Ontario Just Revealed Its Official Reopening Plan & Here's What You

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  6. Doug Ford unveils plan to begin reopening Ontario's economy

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  3. Ontario Newsroom

    Due to the continuing success of Ontario's vaccine rollout and the collective efforts of Ontarians in following public health and workplace safety measures to date, effective May 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. the province will reopen outdoor recreational amenities with restrictions in place, such as the need to maintain physical distancing.

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  6. Small businesses urge Ontario government to share its plan to remove

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  7. Here's what's allowed now that Ontario has entered Step 2 of its

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  8. Ontario businesses plan careful reopening as province takes first step

    The first phase of reopening will officially begin Tuesday May 19, though some businesses can open as soon as Saturday.

  9. Some Ontario businesses reopening after struggling to survive long

    (CBC) Many Ontario businesses are preparing to reopen with some limitations after a frustrating period of ever-changing pandemic restrictions affecting retailers and services that were deemed...

  10. What you can do and when under Ontario's new 3-phase COVID-19 reopening

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  11. Ontario announces Stage 3 of economic re-opening plan

    The re-opening will come July 16. The announcement comes just days after the government of Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province still wasn't ready for Stage Three and just after a cabinet meeting. In a statement, Ford said thanks to the efforts of frontline workers and the high rate of vaccinations, targets for re-opening were surpassed.

  12. Ontario's COVID-19 Response: A History of Announced Measures, 2020-2022

    Ontario Fast-tracks Reopening Plan: Public Health Measures to be Eased as of February 17, 2022. On February 14, 2022, the Government of Ontario announced that continued improvement in public health indicators means that COVID-related restrictions can be relaxed ahead of schedule.

  13. Ontario Moving to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen on July 16

    Ontario Moving to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen on July 16 Continuing Improvements in Key Indicators Allowing Province to Safely Expand Indoor Settings and Capacity Limits July 09, 2021 Office of the Premier Table of Contents Content Quick Facts Additional Resources

  14. Announcement of Pandemic Restrictions Being Lifted in Ontario Good News

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  15. CFIB statement on Ontario's business reopening plan

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  16. Mid-June start for Ontario's three step reopening plan

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  17. Two-thirds of Ontario small businesses say the province's reopening

    Toronto, June 8, 2021 - Ontario's slow pace of reopening is driving the province further behind the rest of the country, according to the latest data on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)'s Small Business Recovery Dashboard.Two thirds of Ontario business owners say reopening is not happening fast enough, compared to only one-third of businesses in BC and 23 per cent ...

  18. Businesses relieved as Ontario moves to Step 3 of reopening plan, but

    Business owners applauded Ontario's decision to move to Step 3 of its reopening plan next Friday, but there remains a long road to recovery for many. ... The provincial government announced on ...

  19. COVID-19: Ontario government announces three-stage plan for reopening

    Quebec is expected to release a reopening plan for businesses on Tuesday. The province reported 875 new cases on Monday, continuing the trend of Quebec having far more cases than any other province.

  20. Ontario Announces Reopening Plan and End to the State of Emergency

    Current Plan for Reopening by Public Health Unit Effective February 10, 2021, the stay-at-home order will be lifted in some regions. The following regions will move into the Green-Prevent Zone, which is the category in which the fewest restrictions apply: Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

  21. Small businesses suffer under the weight of the Ontario government's

    The spread of COVID-19 in Ontario has been the reason for government-mandated restrictions on non-essential services since mid-March 2020. The lockdowns, deemed necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 according to public health officials, have been hard on small businesses, threatening the livelihoods of small business owners and their staff, including the permanent closure of many businesses.

  22. Ontario Reopening Plan: How to Return to Work After COVID-19

    On April 28, 2020, Premier Doug Ford provided the framework including a 3-stage process for Ontario's Reopening Plan after COVID-19. The reopening will be gradual and will occur in stages. There will be two-to-four weeks between the launch of each stage to allow provincial health officials to assess conditions before moving to the next one. The … Ontario Reopening Plan: How to Return to ...

  23. Government announces Canada Carbon Rebate amounts for 2024-25

    Incentivizing the switch to heat pumps with $250 upfront payments for low-to median-income Canadians who heat their homes with oil and sign up for a heat pump through a joint federal-provincial government program. Backgrounder: Canada Carbon Rebate amounts for 2024-25. October 26, 2023: Delivering support for Canadians on energy bills.