On November 20, 2020, the Ontario provincial government announced an extension of the orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario Act (the “ROA”).
The extension of these orders will help the provincial government address the ongoing risks of COVID-19 and ensure measures are in place to protect vulnerable populations as the province reopens.
The following orders have been extended to December 21, 2020:
- Rules for Areas in Stage 3
- Stages of Reopening
- Patios
- Rules for Areas in Stage 2
- Special Rules Re Temporary Pandemic Pay
- Management of Retirement Homes in Outbreak
- Management of Long-Term Care Homes in Outbreak
- Treatment of Temporary Covid-19 Related Payments to Employees
- Hospital Credentialing Processes
- Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
- Congregate Care Settings
- Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies
- Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home
- Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities
- Deployment of Employees of Service Provider Organizations
- Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards
- Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home
- Work Deployment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services
- Temporary Health or Residential Facilities
- Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services
- Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney
- Service Agencies Providing Services and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Service Providers Providing Intervenor Services
- Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes
- Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health
- Enforcement of Orders
- Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Sales of Necessary Goods
- Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
- Rules for Areas in Stage 1
- Work Deployment Measures in Long-Term Care Homes
- Electronic Service
- Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
- Work Redeployment for Certain Health Services Providers
The ROA was passed to ensure important measures remained in place after Ontario’s emergency declaration ended. The orders under the ROA were initially made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act,. Under the ROA, orders can be extended for up to 30 days at a time. The Ontario government continues to review all orders in place for further extension.
The government recently released a new COVID-19 Response Framework with revised measures and restrictions for businesses and organizations. You may read Mathews Dinsdale’s update on the new COVID-19 Response Framework here.
If you have any questions about this matter, other COVID-19 related issues, or would like any other workplace law assistance, please contact a Mathews Dinsdale lawyer, or refer to the Firm’s COVID-19 website resources
