The Ontario government announced a new colour-code Covid-19 Response Framework on November 3, 2020. The Framework is intended to progressively adjust public health measures to respond to the pandemic. On Friday, November 20, 2020, the government announced that Toronto and Peel Region would be returning to lockdown, effective Monday November 23, 2020.
Placing these public health regions in Lockdown (also referred to as the Grey Zone) under the Framework allows implementation of widescale measures and restrictions, including closures, to halt or interrupt transmission of Covid-19.
The list of restrictions includes:
- Schools, before and after school programs, and child care will remain open;
- Post-secondary schools are open for virtual learning with some limited exceptions for training that can only be provided in-person, such as clinical training or training related to a trade;
- No indoor organized public events or social gatherings except with members of the same household. Individuals who live alone, including seniors, may consider having exclusive, close contact with one other person;
- Outdoor organized public events or social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people;
- Wedding services, funeral services and religious services, rites or ceremonies where physical distancing can be maintained can have up to 10 people indoors or 10 people outdoors;
- Retail permitted to be open for curbside pick-up or delivery only, with certain exceptions such as for supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, discount and big box retailers selling groceries, beer, wine and liquor stores, safety supply stores, and convenience stores, which will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity;
- Restaurants, bars, and food and drink establishments will only be able to provide takeout, drive-through and delivery. Indoor and outdoor dining services are prohibited;
- Personal care services are closed;
- Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments are closed; and
- Indoor sports and recreational facilities, including pools, are closed with limited exceptions.
A full list of closures and restrictions are available on the Government's website.
All other regions remain open, but with restrictions. It is important for organizations to review those measures that are currently applicable to their public health regions.
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