On June 1^st, 2021, the Ontario Government announced that various public health and workplace restrictions will continue despite the expiry of the Stay-at-Home Order on June 2^nd, 2021. Those restrictions will remain in place throughout Ontario until the Province enters Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen at the earliest. The Ontario Government maintains that Step One is likely to commence the week of June 14^th, 2021, but it has not yet committed to an exact date. A summary of the Roadmap is available here.

Restrictions Remaining in Force under Reopening Ontario Act

Pursuant to O. Reg. 363/20 made under the Reopening Ontario Act, all regions of Ontario remain in the Shutdown Zone of Stage 1. Therefore, the restrictions under O. Reg. 82/20 remain in force. Restrictions include, but are not limited to:

• Any businesses that are not listed in Schedule 2 or 3 of O.Reg 82/20 (ie. Essential Businesses), must remain closed.  We note that this means non-essential construction still remains closed;
• Any Businesses that remain open must comply with prescribed COVID-19 preventative measures, including ensuring masks are worn indoors, social distancing, installation of Plexiglass or other impermeable barriers, and ensuring workers are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, as applicable;
• Any Businesses that remain  open must ensure that any person who performs work for the business conducts their work remotely, unless the nature of their work requires them to be on-site at the workplace;
• Any Businesses that remain open must limit the number of persons in the business or facility so that members of the public are able to maintain social distancing and any specified capacity restrictions;

In addition, all other workplace measures made under the Reopening Ontario Act remain in place, including measures pertaining to Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes and the health sector, generally.

The Emergency Orders

The following emergency orders currently in effect under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act have been extended until June 16^th, 2021:

• O. Reg. 8/21 Enforcement of COVID-19 Measures
• O. Reg. 55/21 Compliance Orders for Retirement Homes
• O. Reg. 271/21 Work Redeployment for Local Health Integration Networks and Ontario Health
• O. Reg. 272/21 Transfer of Hospital Patients
• O. Reg. 288/21 Closure of Public Lands for Recreational Camping
• O. Reg. 293/21 Persons Entering Ontario From Manitoba or Quebec
• O. Reg. 304/21 Work Redeployment for Independent Health Facilities
• O. Reg. 305/21 Regulated Health Professionals
• O. Reg. 317/21 Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes

The official Ontario Government press release can be found here. Further details about the reopening plan will be made available as additional information is released.

If you have any questions about this topic, other COVID-19 related questions, or would like assistance with developing and/or reviewing pandemic plans, please do not hesitate to contact a Mathews Dinsdale lawyer, or refer to the Firm’s COVID-19 website resources.