The Ontario government has announced that it will maintain the Stay-at-Home order and all existing public health and workplace safety measures for Toronto and Peel Public Health Regions, along with the North Bay-Perry Sound District. The extended Stay-at-Home order in these designated regions will remain in effect until at least March 8, 2021.

Following the review of local public health indicators, the government has stated that the COVID-19 transmission rates in these designated regions have remained too high to warrant lessening of restrictions. The government has also noted concern regarding variants of the COVID-19 virus and the risk it poses to community transmission and the health care system capacity.

York Region Public Health will be moving back to the Framework at the Red-Control level, and will no longer be subject to the Stay-at-Home order. In addition, Lambton Public Health will be move from the Orange-Restrict level to the Red Control Level as a result of worsening public health trends. These two changes will come into effect on February 22, 2021.

After returning to the Framework, public health regions are required to stay in their level for at least two weeks. The government will then assess the impact of public health and workplace safety measures to determine whether the region should be moved to a different level within the framework. However, Public health regions may be moved to a higher level within the two-week window, if deemed necessary by public health indicators.

Mathews Dinsdale will continue to monitor the Government’s response to COVID-19, and will provide updates and analysis on any important developments.

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.