The province is in the midst of its second 28-day lockdown in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19.
Restrictions are in effect for all of Southern Ontario from Saturday, December 26, 2020 to Saturday, January 23, 2021.
Measures include, but are not limited to:
- Restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household.
- Prohibiting in-person shopping in most retail settings – curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping.
- Restricting indoor access to shopping malls – patrons may only go to a designated indoor pickup area (by appointment only), essential retail stores that are permitted to be open (e.g. pharmacy, grocery store), or, subject to physical distancing and face covering requirements, to the food court for takeout purchases. Shopping malls may also establish outdoor designated pickup areas.
- Prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments will be permitted to operate by take out, drive-through, and delivery only.
So, what exactly is allowed to stay open?
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Supply chain
Businesses that supply businesses or places that are permitted to open within Ontario, or that supply businesses or services that have been declared essential in a jurisdiction outside of Ontario, with the support, products, supplies, systems, or services, including processing, packaging, warehousing, distribution, delivery, and maintenance necessary to operate.
Meeting or event space
Only permitted to open for:
- The operation of child care centres and authorized recreational and skill building programs within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
- Court services
- Government services
- Mental health and addictions support services (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) permitted to a maximum of 10 people
- Social services
Short-term rentals
- Only to be provided to individuals who are in need of housing
- Does not apply to short-term rental accommodations that were reserved before the Safe at Home Restrictions period
Restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments
- Take out, drive through, and delivery permitted only
- Includes the sale of alcohol
Driving instruction
In-person driving instruction
- No in-person driving instruction permitted except:
- For instruction for drivers of commercial motor vehicles
- Where the instruction is part of the Ontario Driver Certification Program administered by the Ministry of Transportation and involves the operation of motor vehicles for which:
- A class of driver’s licence other than Class G, G1, G2, M, M1 or M2 is required
- An air brake endorsement is required
- Or that is provided by a private career college, in accordance with certain conditions
Retailers
Supermarkets, convenience stores, indoor farmer’s markets and other stores that primarily sell food
- Open for in-person retail, subject to:
- Members of the public being able to maintain two metres physical distance from every other person in the business or facility
- The number of persons occupying any room that is open to the public does not exceed 50% capacity of the particular room
- Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Pharmacies
- Open for in-person retail, subject to:
- Members of the public being able to maintain two metres physical distance from every other person in the business or facility
- The number of persons occupying any room that is open to the public does not exceed 50% capacity of the particular room
- Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Discount and big box retailers:
Discount and big box retailers that engage in retail sales to the public and meet the following conditions:
- Sell groceries to the public
- Limit the number of persons occupying any room that is open to the public in the business to not exceed 25% capacity of the particular room
- Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Safety supply stores, businesses that sell, rent or repair assistive/mobility/medical devices, and optical stores that sell prescription eyewear to the public:
- By appointment only
- Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Stores that sell liquor, including beer, wine and spirits:
- Limit the number of persons occupying any room that is open to the public in the business does not exceed 25% of the particular room
- Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Shopping malls:
- Closed for in-person retail. Members of the public are only permitted to enter the mall to:
- Access businesses and organizations permitted to be open (e.g., pharmacy, dentist); food court open for take-away, or by appointment only to facilitate pick-up as set out below
- Access court services and government services
- Shopping mall may establish:
- A single designated location inside the shopping mall for order pick-up by patrons. Pick-up inside the shopping mall must be by appointment only
- Any number of designated locations outside the shopping mall for curbside pick-up by patrons
- Members of the public not permitted to loiter in any area of the shopping mall that is not related to the purpose of their visit
Cannabis retail stores operating under the authority of a retail store authorization issued under the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018:
- By curbside pick-up or delivery only
Garden centres:
- Curbside pick-up and delivery permitted
Motor vehicle sales
- Includes cars, trucks and motorcycles; recreational vehicles including motor homes; trailers and travel trailers; boats and other watercraft; and other motorized vehicles, including power-assisted bicycles, golf carts, scooters, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles
- By appointment only
- Members of the public must not be permitted where products are neither sold nor displayed for sale
- Subject to certain conditions related to test drives
Outdoor markets
- Includes farmer’s markets and holiday markets only if they primarily sell food to the public
- Must require members of the public to remain outdoors at all times, including for curbside pick-up or delivery
General Retail (all other retail, including hardware stores, pet food, computer stores, etc.):
- Curbside pick-up or delivery only (in-person retail shopping not permitted)
- Sales must be exclusively made so patrons are not required to enter the indoor area of the business, including curbside pick-up or delivery
Services
Rental and leasing services, including automobile, commercial and light industrial machinery and equipment rental
- By appointment only
Gas stations and other fuel suppliers
Automated and self-service car washes
Laundromats and drycleaners
Snow clearing and landscaping services
Security services for residences, businesses and other properties
Domestic services
- Only to support children, seniors or vulnerable persons, including housekeeping, cooking, indoor and outdoor cleaning and maintenance services
Vehicle and equipment repair and essential maintenance and vehicle and equipment rental services
- By appointment only
Courier, postal, shipping, moving and delivery services
Funeral and related services
Staffing services including providing temporary help
Veterinary services
- For services that are necessary for the immediate health and welfare of the animal only, or provided through curb side pick-up and drop-off of the animal
Other businesses that provide for the health and welfare of animals, including farms, boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters and research facilities
Businesses that provide pet training exclusively for service animals
Hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other shared rental accommodation, including student residences
- Any indoor pools, indoor fitness centres, or other indoor recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses, are closed
Seasonal campgrounds
- Must be made available only for trailers and recreational vehicles used by individuals in need of housing or are permitted to be there by seasonal contract
- Only campsites with electricity, water service and facilities for sewage disposal may be provided for use
- All recreational and other shared facilities, excluding washrooms and showers must be closed
- Other areas of the seasonal campground must be closed to the general public and must only be opened for the purpose of preparing the seasonal campground for reopening
Community centres
- Permitted to open for:
- The operation of child care centres and authorized recreational and skill building programs within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
- Mental health and addictions support services (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) permitted to a maximum of 10 people
- Social services
Cheque cashing services
Financial services
- Capital markets and related securities trading and advisory services
- Banking/credit union activities including credit intermediation
- Insurance
- Land registration services
- Pension and benefits payment services
- Financial services including payroll and payment processing and accounting and tax services
Real estate (including pre-sale construction)
Real estate (including pre-sale construction)
- No open houses – showing a property permitted by appointment only
Telecommunications and IT infrastructure/service providers
Information Technology (IT) services, including online services, software products and the facilities necessary for their operation and delivery
Telecommunications providers and services (phone, internet, radio, cell phones etc..) and facilities necessary for their operation and delivery
- Retail stores operated by a telecommunications provider or service may only permit members of the public to enter the premises by appointment and only for repairs or technical support
Newspapers, radio and television broadcasting
Maintenance
Maintenance, repair and property management services that manage and maintain the safety, security, sanitation and operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties and buildings.
Transportation services
- Businesses and facilities that provide transportation services, including:
- Transportation services provided by air, water, road, and rail, including taxis and other private transportation providers, and
- Support services for transportation services, including:
- logistical support, distribution services, warehousing and storage, truck stops and tow operators, and
- services that support the operations and safety of transportation systems including maintenance and repairs
- Marinas, boating clubs and other organizations that maintain docking facilities for members or patrons with conditions
- Businesses that provide and support online retail, including by providing warehousing, storage and distribution of goods that are ordered online
Manufacturing
- Businesses that extract, manufacture, process and distribute goods, products, equipment and materials, including businesses that manufacture inputs to other manufacturers (e.g. primary metal/ steel, blow molding, component manufacturers, chemicals, etc.. that feed the end-product manufacturer), regardless of whether those other manufacturers are inside or outside of Ontario, together with businesses that support and facilitate the movement of goods within integrated North American and global supply chains
Agriculture and food production
- Businesses that produce food and beverages, and agricultural products including plants, including by farming, harvesting, aquaculture, hunting and fishing
- Businesses that process, manufacture or distribute food, beverages, crops, agricultural products, animal products and by-products
- Businesses that support the food or agricultural products supply chains and the health and safety of food, animals and plants
Construction
- Construction activities or projects and related services that support construction activities or projects, including demolition services
- Land surveyors
Resources and energy
- Businesses that provide and ensure the domestic and global continuity of supply of resources, including, resource exploration, mining, forestry, aggregates, petroleum, petroleum by-products and chemicals
- Electricity generation, transmission, distribution and storage and natural gas distribution, transmission and storage
Community services
Businesses that deliver or support the delivery of community services including:
- Sewage treatment and disposal
- Collecting, transporting, storing, processing, disposing or recycling of any type of waste
- Potable drinking water
- Critical infrastructure repair and maintenance including roads, dams, bridges etc..
- Environmental rehabilitation, management and monitoring, and spill clean-up and response
- Administrative authorities that regulate and inspect businesses
- Professional and social services that support the legal and justice system
- Government services including but not limited to policing and law enforcement, fire and emergency services, paramedics, coroner and pathology services, corrections and court services, licences and permits
- Allotment gardens or community gardens
Facilities for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities
- Closure of all indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness facilities except for:
- Facilities operated or for the sole use of high performance athletes, including parasport athletes, and specified professional leagues (e.g., NHL, CFL, MLS, NBA) and
- Facilities opened solely for specified purposes (e.g. child care)
- Community centres and multi-purpose facilities (e.g., YMCA) allowed to be open for permitted activities (e.g., child care services, mental health and addiction support services [limited to 10 people maximum], social services)
- All subject to conditions
Outdoor recreational amenities
- Outdoor recreational amenities permitted to open include:
- Parks and recreational areas
- Baseball diamonds
- Batting cages
- Soccer, football and sports fields
- Tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts
- Basketball courts
- BMX parks
- Skate parks
- Golf courses and driving ranges
- Frisbee golf locations
- Cycling tracks and bike trails
- Horse riding facilities
- Shooting ranges, including those operated by rod and gun clubs
- Ice rinks
- Snowmobile, cross country, dogsledding, ice-skating and snow-shoe trails
- Playgrounds
- Portions of parks or recreational areas containing outdoor fitness equipment
- Tobogganing hills and skating trails
A permitted outdoor recreational amenity may only open if:
- Any person who enters or uses the amenity maintains a physical distance of at least two metres from other person using the amenity (excluding members of the same household)
- Team sports, or other sports or games where people may come within two metres of each other, are not practiced or played within the amenity
- Any locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses remain closed, except to the extent they provide access to equipment storage, a washroom or a portion of the amenity that is used to provide first aid
Ski hills are closed.
Research
- Businesses and organizations that maintain research facilities and engage in research, including medical research and other research and development activities
Health care and social services
- Organizations and providers that deliver home care services or personal support services to seniors and persons with disabilities
- Regulated health professionals
- Professionals or organizations that provide in-person counselling services
- Organizations that provide health care including retirement homes, hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, independent health facilities and mental health and addictions counselling supports
- Laboratories and specimen collection centres
- Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies, including medications, medical isotopes, vaccines and antivirals, medical devices and medical supplies
- Manufacturers, distributors and businesses that provide logistical support of or for products and/or services that support the delivery of health care in all locations
- Organizations that provide critical personal support services in home or residential services for individuals with physical disabilities
- Organizations that support the provision of food, shelter, safety or protection, and/or social services and other necessities of life to economically disadvantaged and other vulnerable individuals
- Businesses that are primarily engaged in the provision of health and safety training with conditions
Media industries
Sound recording, production, publishing and distribution businesses
Film and television production, including all supporting activities such as hair, makeup and wardrobe:
- No studio audiences permitted to be on the film or television set
- No more than 10 performers may be permitted to be on the film or television set
- Set must be configured and operated in such a way as to enable persons on the set to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other persons, except where necessary for the filming of the film or television production
- Persons who provide hair or makeup services must wear appropriate personal protective equipment
- Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier
Film and television postproduction, visual effects and animation studios
Book and periodical production, publishing and distribution businesses
Commercial and industrial photography
- Does not permit retail studios to open
Interactive digital media businesses, including:
- Computer system software or application developers and publishers, and
- Video game developers and publishers
Entertainment
Concert venues, theatres and cinemas
- May open for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with conditions, including:
- No spectators may be permitted in the concert venue, theatre or cinema
- No more than 10 performers may be permitted in the concert venue, theatre or venue
- Every performer and other person who performs work for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person, except:
- if it is necessary for the performers or other persons to be closer to each other for purposes of the performance or rehearsal, or
- where necessary for the purposes of health and safety
- Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier
- Contact information recording required
- No drive-in or drive-through events
Libraries
Libraries may open:
- For contactless curbside, delivery, and pick-up
- For permitted services (e.g., child care services, mental health and addiction support services to a limit of 10 persons [AA meetings], provision of social services)
- If they ensure that circulating materials returned to the library are disinfected or quarantined for an appropriate period of time before they are recirculated
- Contact information recording required
Museums and cultural amenities
Closed
Horse racing
- Training only, no races, no members of the public (i.e., spectators)
Night clubs and strip clubs
- Only permitted to open if they operate as a food or drink establishment, subject to conditions that apply to restaurants and bars, etc..
Zoos and aquariums
- Closed to the public
- Permitted to operate for the care of animals
Amusement parks, water parks
Closed.
Bathhouses and sex clubs
Closed.
Tour and guide services
Closed.
Motorsports
Closed.
Personal care services
Closed.
Casinos, Bingo Halls and Gaming Establishments
Closed.
For more details on the province-wide lockdown, please click here.
I know the lockdown starts on December 26, but every time you take a trip outside your home it puts people in jeopardy. So please, as of now, stay home when you can. Only go out to get groceries, medication or for necessary trips. pic.twitter.com/jB8ntV0xAS
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) December 24, 2020
The Provincewide Shutdown will come into effect on Dec. 26 at 12:01 a.m. and will be evaluated after 14 days in Northern Ontario and after 28 days in Southern Ontario, to determine if it is safe to lift any restrictions or if additional time is required. https://t.co/9rWocyXf9O pic.twitter.com/T46MLJuSDR
— Ontario Ministry of Health (@ONThealth) December 21, 2020