Ontario: 7 more regions enter Stage 3

Ontario has announced that another 7 public health regions will be moving to Stage 3 of its Framework for Reopening ("Framework"). This change, scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2020, means that almost all businesses in the following public health unit regions will be permitted to re-open:

• Durham Region Health Department;
• Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit;
• Halton Region Health Department;
• Hamilton Public Health Services;
• Lambton Health Unit;
• Niagara Region Public Health Department; and
• York Region Public Health Services.

These regions will join 24 public health unit regions that entered Stage 3 on July 17, 2020.

Re-opening restrictions continue to apply across all Stage 3 regions. The following "high-risk places and activities" are not yet safe to re-open:

• Amusement parks and water parks;
• Buffet-style food services;
• Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements;
• Overnight stays at camps for children;
• Private karaoke rooms;
• Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports;
• Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars;
• Table games at casinos and gaming establishments.

Businesses in "high risk" categories that are found to have re-opened without an approved re-opening proposal in place could face liability under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The province continues to accept re-opening proposals via its re-opening portal.

At present, all other stipulations under Stage 3 of the Framework remain the same:

• Gathering limits remain capped at 50 people (indoor events) and 100 people (outdoor events).
• Businesses must meet (or continue to meet) "strict health and safety requirements" to re-open or remain open.
• Ontario has now published over 170 sector-specific guidelines and documents to support a safe and efficient return to work. Businesses should revisit applicable sector-specific guidelines to ensure that they are aware of any new requirements, recommendations, and best practices.

For any questions you may have about Stage 3, exclusions, re-opening proposals, health and safety matters, and other issues related to COVID-19, the Gowling WLG Employment, Labour & Equalities Group would be pleased to assist. To find out more about our Group and how to contact a specific lawyer, click here.