The Ontario government announced that on July 17 it is moving forward with stage 3 of the restart phase to reopening the provinces economy.
Businesses, services and public spaces in certain parts of the province will begin reopen on a regional basis on July 17 as progress is made in the fight against COVID-19, the government states.
The approach recognizes that every region in Ontario has experienced the COVID-19 outbreak differently. Regions are based on public health unit boundaries, with limited exceptions in unique cases. Directed by the Province, in consultation with public health officials, every region will progress through each stage when it is safe to do so. The government’s decision is based on trends in key public health indicators, including virus spread and containment, along with health system and incidence-tracking capacity.
Government and public health officials will review proposals and contact businesses for feedback or clarifications. Proposals may inform the potential loosening of restrictions as Stage 3 progresses. Proposals will receive initial feedback within 10 days of submission. A sector could be allowed to reopen or resume activities based on proposals submitted by businesses. For the regions in Stage 3, the province is increasing gathering limits to the following. Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people. Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people.
The following regions are the first that will be permitted to begin reopening facilities and activities:
- Algoma Public Health
- Brant County Health Unit
- Chatham-Kent Public Health
- Eastern Ontario Health Unit
- Grey Bruce Health Unit
- Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
- Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
- Huron Perth Public Health
- Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health
- Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
- Middlesex-London Health Unit
- North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
- Northwestern Health Unit
- Ottawa Public Health
- Peterborough Public Health
- Porcupine Health Unit
- Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
- Renfrew County and District Health Unit
- Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit
- Southwestern Public Health
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit
- Timiskaming Health Unit
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
Click here for a full list of allowable operations and businesses and guidelines. https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario-stages
The following regions will remain in Stage 2, as additional time is required to assess and monitor any impacts and readiness to move into Stage 3:
- Durham Region Health Department
- Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
- Halton Region Public Health
- Hamilton Public Health Services
- Lambton Public Health
- Niagara Region Public Health
- Peel Public Health
- Toronto Public Health
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
- York Region Public Health
Ontario’s path forward to full, province-wide recovery will be based on the lessons learned from Stage 3 and the best-available advice from medical and scientific experts. The province will continue to work with all levels of government to address the unique impacts of COVID-19 on each community, to ensure people get the support they need.
Click here to monitor updates for Phase 3 states. https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario-stages
In all cases, individuals are advised to continue to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres with people from outside their households or social circles.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone. It has created significant hardship for individuals, families, and businesses. Throughout this unfolding pandemic, our government has been consulting with public health officials, stakeholders, constituents and the public at large. We understand how drastically this unprecedented outbreak has impacted families, workers, businesses and communities across Ontario. We want to continue to hear from you about the economic impacts that the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is having on your business and your community.”
Provide your input on the economic impacts of COVID-19 and the next phase of Ontario’s Action Plan.
