Develop and implement policies and procedures: Clearly outline the policies and procedures that your employees should follow to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. This should include things like hand washing, food handling, and the use of personal protective equipment.
 
Train your employees: Make sure that all of your employees are properly trained on health and safety procedures, as well as their specific job duties. Provide regular refresher training to ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest guidelines and practices.&nbsp
 
Perform regular inspections: Regularly inspect your restaurant for hazards, such as wet floors, electrical issues, or malfunctioning equipment. Fix any issues that you find as soon as possible to prevent accidents or injuries.&nbsp
 
Keep the restaurant clean: Proper cleaning and sanitization are essential to maintaining a healthy restaurant. This includes regularly cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, utensils, and equipment, as well as properly storing food to prevent contamination.
 
Have an emergency plan: It is important to be prepared for emergencies, such as fires or medical emergencies. Develop an emergency plan and make sure that all employees know what to do in the event of an emergency.&nbsp

By following these tips, you can create a safe and healthy work environment for your employees and provide a high level of service to your customers.

Learn more about how Able Audit safety inspection features can you help you save time and efficiently manage your safety program.

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Federal Updates

1. Workplace Hazardous Materials: Amendments to the Hazardous Products Regulations will introduce new safety classifications, such as “Chemicals Under Pressure” and subcategories for flammable gases. Enhanced safety data sheet requirements will improve hazard communication and clarity for workers in federally regulated sectors​.
2. Return-to-Work Regulations: Federally regulated employers will face stricter requirements for timely and safe reintegration of injured employees. These rules aim to ensure mutual cooperation between employers and employees during recovery​.
3. Energy Industry Safety: Updates to the Onshore Pipelines Regulation are under consultation, aiming to strengthen safety protocols and compliance for federally regulated pipelines.​

Provincial Changes

Ontario

• The Occupational Health and Safety Act will include stricter requirements for crane safety on construction sites starting January 2024. This includes mandatory reporting of equipment failures and updates to maintenance and inspection protocols. Full compliance with equipment upgrade requirements will be mandatory by 2025.
• The Working for Workers Act 2024 introduces measures to enhance protections for gig workers and strengthen workplace rights, including clearer standards for employment contracts and worker benefits.​

British Columbia

• From January 2024, employers and injured workers will have a legal duty to collaborate with WorkSafeBC for a safe return to work. Additionally, updated occupational first aid regulations will take effect in November 2024, requiring businesses to improve training and provide necessary first aid equipment.​

Saskatchewan

• All workplaces must implement a Violence Prevention Policy Statement and Plan by May 2024, regardless of industry risk levels. This policy will address both physical and psychological safety in the workplace​.

Cannabis and Drug Regulation

 
Health Canada plans to amend the Cannabis Regulations to address concerns about flavored cannabis products, which are perceived as potentially harmful to youth. These updates align with broader regulatory reviews to streamline administrative processes while maintaining public safety.​  
 

Implications for Employers and Workers

 
Employers must adapt to these changes by revising their safety policies, conducting compliance audits, and providing updated training to employees. Workers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these legislative changes to understand their rights and responsibilities better.
 
These updates reflect Canada’s commitment to fostering safer, more equitable workplaces while balancing industry innovation and public safety. For detailed guidance, employers and workers should consult government resources or legal professionals.

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This means:

• ensuring your workers have the skills and training needed to do their jobs in a healthy and safe manner
• providing competent supervisors
• preventing violence and harassment in the workplace
• informing your workers of all the health and safety hazards at the job site
• setting up safe work practices and ensuring these practices are followed
• providing safety equipment and training
• properly labelling and storing dangerous chemicals
• investigating serious injuries and incidents
• investigating potentially serious incidents (PSI)
• working with the health and safety committee or representative
• meeting  OHS and Employment Standards Code requirements

Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committees and  Health and Safety Representatives

 An employer shall establish a joint work site health and safety committee: 

(a)    if the employer employs 20 or more workers and work is expected to last 90 days or more, or
(b)    at any other work site designated by a Director.

Designation of health and safety representative

Unless a Director approves an alternative measure to ensure the health and safety of workers, an employer shall designate a worker appointed or selected under subsection (2) as a health and safety representative

(a)    if the employer employs 5 to 19 workers and work is expected to last 90 days or more, or
(b)    at any other work site designated by a Director

Duties of a joint work site health and safety committee

(a)   the receipt, consideration and disposition of concerns and complaints respecting the health and safety of workers;
(b)   participation in the identification of hazards to workers or other persons arising out of or in connection with activities at the work site;
(c)   the development and promotion of measures to protect the health and safety of persons at the work site and checking the effectiveness of such measures;
(d)   cooperation with an officer exercising duties under this Act, the regulations and the OHS code;
(e)   the development and promotion of programs for education and information concerning health and safety;
(f)    the making of recommendations to the employer, prime contractor or owner respecting the health and safety of workers;
(g)   the inspection of the work site at regular intervals;
(h)   the participation in investigations of serious injuries and incidents at the work site in accordance with section 40;
(i)    the maintenance of records in connection with the receipt and disposition of concerns and complaints and the attendance to other matters relating to the duties of the committee;
(j)    such other duties as may be specified in this Act, the regulations and the OHS code.

Duties of a health and safety representative

The health and safety representative shall, in cooperation with a representative of the employer, perform the same duties, with any necessary modifications, as set out for the joint work site health and safety committees in section 19.

Learn more about how Able Audit safety inspection features can you help you perform and manage inspections, distribute reports and manage action items.

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Identify workplace hazards

One of the main purposes of the JHSC is to identify workplace hazards, such as machinery, substances, production processes, working conditions, procedures or anything else that can endanger the health and safety of workers [clause 9(18)(a)]. To a large extent, this purpose is met by carrying out inspections of the workplace. It may obtain and review specified types of information (e.g. information identifying potential or existing hazards) from the employer so that corrective action can be recommended.

Unless otherwise required by Regulation or an inspector’s order, the Act requires that a designated member of the committee, who represents workers, inspect the workplace at least once a month. In some cases, this may not be practical. For example, the workplace may be too large and complex to be inspected fully each month. Where it is impractical to conduct monthly inspections, the committee must establish an inspection schedule that will ensure that at least part of the workplace is inspected each month and the entire workplace is inspected at least once a year [subsections 9(26), (27) and (28)].

Able Audit comes with over 100 pre-built checklists to help you get started with workplace inspections, or you can use your existing checklists.

Learn more about how Able Audit safety inspection features can you help you perform and manage inspections, distribute reports and manage action items.

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• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • OSHA administers the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.
  • Safety and health conditions in most private industries are regulated by OSHA or OSHA-approved state plans.
  • Nearly every employee in the nation comes under OSHA’s jurisdiction with some exceptions such as miners, some transportation workers, many public employees, and the self-employed.
  • Employers subject to the OSH Act also have a general duty to provide work and a workplace free from recognized, serious hazards.
  • OSHA also administers the Whistleblower Protection program, ensuring an employer cannot retaliate by taking “adverse action” against workers who report injuries, safety concerns, or other protected activity.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) publishes a safety inspection checklist designed to help employers look over their workplaces and make sure they meet OSHA safety requirements. Before getting a safety inspection employers should go over the checklist to make sure they will pass. The checklist covers many standard OSHA regulations that apply to a variety of businesses, such as sanitation requirements, aisleway requirements and record keeping requirements.

Self-Inspection Scope

Your self-inspections should cover safety and health issues in the following areas:

• Processing, Receiving, Shipping and Storage – equipment, job planning, layout, heights, floor loads, projection of materials, material handling and storage methods, training for material handling equipment.
• Building and Grounds Conditions – floors, walls, ceilings, exits, stairs, walkways, ramps, platforms, driveways, aisles.
• Housekeeping Program – waste disposal, tools, objects, materials, leakage and spillage, cleaning methods, schedules, work areas, remote areas, storage areas.
• Electricity – equipment, switches, breakers, fuses, switch-boxes, junctions, special fixtures, circuits, insulation, extensions, tools, motors, grounding, national electric code compliance.
• Lighting – type, intensity, controls, conditions, diffusion, location, glare and shadow control.
• Heating and Ventilation – type, effectiveness, temperature, humidity, controls, natural and artificial ventilation and exhausting.
• Machinery – points of operation, flywheels, gears, shafts, pulleys, key ways, belts, couplings, sprockets, chains, frames, controls, lighting for tools and equipment, brakes, exhausting, feeding, oiling, adjusting, maintenance, lockout/tagout, grounding, work space, location, purchasing standards.
• Personnel – training, including hazard identification training; experience; methods of checking machines before use; type of clothing; PPE; use of guards; tool storage; work practices; methods for cleaning, oiling, or adjusting machinery.
• Hand and Power Tools – purchasing standards, inspection, storage, repair, types, maintenance, grounding, use and handling.
• Chemicals – storage, handling, transportation, spills, disposals, amounts used, labeling, toxicity or other harmful effects, warning signs, supervision, training, protective clothing and equipment, hazard communication requirements.
• Fire Prevention – extinguishers, alarms, sprinklers, smoking rules, exits, personnel assigned, separation of flammable materials and dangerous operations, explosion-proof fixtures in hazardous locations, waste disposal and training of personnel.
• Maintenance – provide regular and preventive maintenance on all equipment used at the worksite, recording all work performed on the machinery and by training personnel on the proper care and servicing of the equipment.
• PPE – type, size, maintenance, repair, age, storage, assignment of responsibility, purchasing methods, standards observed, training in care and use, rules of use, method of assignment.
• Transportation – motor vehicle safety, seat belts, vehicle maintenance, safe driver programs.
• First Aid Program/Supplies – medical care facilities locations, posted emergency phone numbers, accessible first aid kits.
• Evacuation Plan – establish and practice procedures for an emergency evacuation, e.g., fire, chemical/biological incidents, bomb threat; include escape procedures and routes, critical plant operations, employee accounting following an evacuation, rescue and medical duties and ways to report emergencies.

Able Audit comes with over 100 pre-built checklists to help you get started with workplace inspections, or you can use your existing checklists.

Learn more about how Able Audit safety inspection features can you help you perform and manage inspections, distribute reports and manage action items.
 

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Occupational Health and Safety Act Overview

The Occupational Health and Safety Act imposes certain minimum conditions on all workplaces that ensure that workers are provided with an environment that neither impairs their health or imperils their safety.

Committees

37. Where 10 or more workers are employed at a workplace, the employer shall establish an occupational health and safety committee to monitor the health, safety and welfare of the workers employed at the workplace.

38. (1) A committee shall consist of the number of persons that may be agreed to by the employer and the workers but shall not be less than 2 nor more than 12 persons.

Duties of Committees

39. A committee established under section 37

     (a)  shall seek to identify aspects of the workplace that may be unhealthy or unsafe;

     (a.1)  shall participate in a workplace inspection that an employer is required by the regulations to conduct;

• • St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Occupational Health and Safety Act

Newfoundland and Labrador Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Safety inspections

 18. (1) Regular inspections of all buildings, excavations, structures, machinery, equipment, work practices and places of employment shall be made by the employer or his or her representative at intervals to ensure that safe working conditions are maintained and that unsafe conditions found as a result of the inspection are remedied without delay.

       (2)  Where an unsafe condition is discovered by a person, it shall be reported as soon as practicable to a supervisor who shall ensure that appropriate action is taken, without delay, to prevent a worker from being injured.

       (3)  Where emergency action is required to correct a condition that constitutes an immediate threat to workers, only those qualified and properly instructed workers necessary to correct the unsafe condition shall be exposed to the hazard and every possible effort shall be made to control the hazard while the corrective action is taking place.

• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (O.C. 2012-005)

For the purposes of PRIME Practice Incentive requirements you must have:

• Two completed workplace inspection checklists
• Completed workplace inspection reports to ensure corrective actions are taken, which are signed by OH&S committee members or the WH&S representative/designate

Learn more about how Able Audit safety inspection features can you help you perform and manage inspections, distribute reports and manage action items.

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Managers are responsible for ensuring that regular workplace inspections take place, to identify unsafe conditions and work practices. The following places, tools and practices will be inspected:

• Work areas
• Buildings and other structures
• Tools, equipment, machinery and vehicles (according to manufacturer’s instructions)
• Work methods and practices

Able Audit comes with over 100 pre-built checklists to help you get started with workplace inspections, or you can use your existing checklists.

Learn more about how Able Audit safety inspection features can you help you perform and manage inspections, distribute reports and manage action items.

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Reopening Ontario

Capacity limits for businesses or facilities open to the public

3. (1) Subject to any other requirements set out in this Order with respect to capacity limits, the person responsible for a place of business or facility that is open to the public shall limit the number of members of the public in the place of business or facility so that the members of the public are able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the business or facility.

Requirements that apply to individuals

3.1 (1) Every person on the premises of a business or organization that is open shall wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin during any period in which they are in an indoor area of the premises.

Safety Plan Requirements

(3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2), the safety plan shall describe how the requirements of this Order will be implemented in the location including by screening, physical distancing, masks or face coverings, cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and objects, the wearing of personal protective equipment and preventing and controlling crowding.

Cleaning requirements

7. (1) The person responsible for a business or place that is open shall ensure that,

(a)  any washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms, showers or similar amenities made available to the public are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition; and

(b)  any equipment that is rented to, provided to or provided for the use of members of the public must be cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition.

(2) For greater certainty, clause (1) (b) applies to computers, electronics and other machines or devices that members of the public are permitted to operate.

Capacity limits for businesses or facilities open to the public

3. (1) Subject to any other requirements set out in this Order with respect to capacity limits, the person responsible for a place of business or facility that is open to the public shall limit the number of members of the public in the place of business or facility so that the members of the public are able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the business or facility.

(2) For the purposes of this Order, the maximum number of members of the public permitted in a business or facility that is operating in an outdoor setting at 75 per cent capacity is determined by taking the total square metres of area accessible to the public, dividing that number by 1.33, and rounding the result down to the nearest whole number.

(3) For the purposes of this Order, the maximum number of members of the public permitted in a business or facility, or part of a business or facility, that is operating in an indoor setting at 50 per cent capacity is determined by taking 50 per cent of the maximum occupant load of the business or facility, or part of a business or facility, as applicable, as calculated in accordance with Ontario Regulation 213/07 (Fire Code), made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.

(4) For the purposes of this Order, the maximum number of members of the public permitted in a business or facility, or part of a business or facility, that is operating in an indoor setting at 25 per cent capacity is determined by taking 25 per cent of the maximum occupant load of the business or facility, or part of a business or facility, as applicable, as calculated in accordance with Ontario Regulation 213/07 (Fire Code), made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.

(5) For greater certainty, subsection (1) does not require persons who are in compliance with public health guidance on households to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from each other while in a place of business or facility.

(6) Subsection (1) does not apply to schools and private schools within the meaning of the Education Act that are,

(a)  operating in accordance with a return to school direction issued by the Ministry of Education and approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health; or

(b)  operated by,

(i)  a band, a council of a band or the Crown in right of Canada,

(ii)  an education authority that is authorized by a band, a council of a band or the Crown in right of Canada, or

(iii)  an entity that participates in the Anishinabek Education System.

(9) Section 3.1 of Schedule 1 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

Requirements that apply to individuals

3.1 (1) Every person on the premises of a business or organization that is open shall wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin during any period in which they are in an indoor area of the premises.

(2) Every person shall wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin during any period in which they are,

(a)  in attendance at an indoor organized public event permitted by this Order; and

(b)  within two metres of another individual who is not part of their household.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not require a person to wear a mask or face covering if they are subject to an exception set out in subsection 2 (4).

(4) Every member of the public in an indoor place of business or facility that is open to the public, and every person in attendance at an indoor organized public event permitted by this Order, shall maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person, except from their caregiver or from members of the person’s household.

(5) The physical distancing described in subsection (4) is not required,

(a)  where necessary to complete a transaction or to receive a service, if the member of the public wears a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin or is subject to an exception set out in subsection 2 (4);

(b)  when attending a day camp or overnight camp for children that is in compliance with section 19 of Schedule 2;

(c)  when passing one another in a confined location, such as in a hallway or aisle, if the member of the public wears a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin or is subject to an exception set out in subsection 2 (4); and

(d)  in situations where another provision of this Order expressly authorizes persons to be closer than two metres from each other.

(6) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection (5) affects the obligation of persons who provide services to comply with subsection 2 (7).

(10) Section 3.2 of Schedule 1 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

Physical distancing and masks or face coverings in lines, etc.

3.2 (1) The person responsible for a business or place that is open must not permit patrons to line up or congregate outside of the business or place, or at an outdoor attraction or feature within the business or place, unless they are maintaining a physical distance of at least two metres from other groups of persons.

(2) The person responsible for a business or place that is open must not permit patrons to line up inside an indoor part of the business or place unless they are,

(a)  maintaining a physical distance of at least two metres from other groups of persons; and

(b)  wearing a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4).

(3) This section does not apply with respect to day camps or overnight camps for children that are in compliance with section 19 of Schedule 2.

(11) Subsection 3.3 (3) of Schedule 1 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

(3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2), the safety plan shall describe how the requirements of this Order will be implemented in the location including by screening, physical distancing, masks or face coverings, cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and objects, the wearing of personal protective equipment and preventing and controlling crowding.

(3.1) For a business, place or event referred to in sections 1, 2 ,9, 16, 22 to 28, 32 or 33 of Schedule 2, the safety plan shall also include information as to how the business, place or event will,

(a)  prevent gatherings and crowds in the business or place or at the event;

(b)  ensure that section 3.2 of this Schedule is complied with in the business or place or at the event; and

(c)  mitigate the risk of any interactive activities, exhibits or games that may be included in the business or place or at the event.

(12) Sections 4 to 8 of Schedule 1 to the Regulation are revoked and the following substituted:

Meeting or event space, conference centres, convention centres

4. (1) The person responsible for a business or place that is open, including a conference centre or convention centre, may rent out indoor or outdoor meeting or event space if the business or place complies with the following conditions:
5. The total number of members of the public permitted to be in an indoor portion of the rentable meeting or event space at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the indoor portion of the rentable meeting or event space and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity, as arrived at by taking 50 per cent of the capacity of every room in the rentable meeting or event space, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of this Schedule, and totalling the result, or 1,000 persons, whichever is less.
6. The number of members of the public permitted to be in a particular room in the indoor portion of the rentable meeting or event space at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the room and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity of the room in the rentable meeting or event space, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of this Schedule, and the total capacity for the particular room cannot be added to increase the total capacity of the indoor portion of the rentable meeting or event space permitted under paragraph 1 of this subsection.
7. The total number of members of the public permitted to be in an outdoor portion of the rentable meeting or event space at any one time may not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of this Schedule, or 5,000 persons, whichever is less.
8. The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.
9. The rented space must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by,
10. a distance of at least two metres, or
11. plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
12. Rooms must be separated by a partition with a hard, non-porous surface that can be easily and routinely cleaned and disinfected.
13. The person responsible for the business or place must actively screen individuals in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the indoor premises of the business or place.
14. The person responsible for the business or place must,
15. record the name and contact information of every member of the public who attends a meeting or event,
16. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

(2) Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 of subsection (1) do not apply if the business or place is rented out,

(a)  for a day camp or overnight camp for children described in section 19 of Schedule 2;

(b)  to a provider of child care within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014;

(c)  for the purpose of the provision of social services;

(d)  for the purpose of delivering or supporting the delivery of court services;

(e)  for operations by or on behalf of a government; or

(f)  for the purpose of delivering or supporting the delivery of government services.

(3) Paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection (1) do not apply if the business or place is rented out to participants in an international single sport event hosted by a national sport organization that is either funded by Sport Canada or recognized by the Canadian Olympic Committee or the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

(4) Paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection (1) do not apply if the business or place is rented out to participants in a sport league or association identified in Column 2 of the Tables to this subsection that is associated with the sport identified in Column 3 of the Tables to this subsection:

TABLE 1: PROFESSIONAL SPORT LEAGUES OR ASSOCIATIONS

TABLE 2:  ELITE AMATEUR SPORT LEAGUES OR ASSOCIATIONS

Tents, canopies, retractable roofs, etc.

5. (1) The person responsible for a business or place that is open shall ensure that,

(a)  if an outdoor area of the business or place is covered by a roof, canopy, tent, awning or other element, at least two full sides of the entire outdoor area are open to the outdoors and are not substantially blocked by any walls or other impermeable physical barriers; and

(b)  if an outdoor area at the business or place is equipped with a retractable roof and the roof is retracted, at least one full side of the outdoor area is open to the outdoors and is not substantially blocked by any walls or other impermeable physical barriers.

(2) In the case of an event referred to in section 28 of Schedule 2 that is held outdoors, the requirement set out in subsection (1) applies to the person responsible for the business that hosts the event.

(3) Clause (1) (b) does not apply with respect to the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Live entertainment: requirements

6. (1) The person responsible for a business or place that is open shall ensure that, if live entertainment is performed for spectators at the business or place, the performers maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from any spectators or are separated from any spectators by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.

(2) In the case of an event referred to in section 28 of Schedule 2 that is held outdoors, the requirement set out in subsection (1) applies to the person responsible for the business that hosts the event.

Cleaning requirements

7. (1) The person responsible for a business or place that is open shall ensure that,

(a)  any washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms, showers or similar amenities made available to the public are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition; and

(b)  any equipment that is rented to, provided to or provided for the use of members of the public must be cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition.

(2) For greater certainty, clause (1) (b) applies to computers, electronics and other machines or devices that members of the public are permitted to operate.

6. (1) Schedule 2 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

SCHEDULE 2: SPECIFIC RULES

Food and drink

Restaurants, bars, etc.

1. (1) Restaurants, bars, food trucks, concession stands and other food or drink establishments may open if they comply with the following conditions:
2. The total number of patrons permitted to be seated at the establishment, whether indoors or outdoors, must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person at the establishment.
3. The establishment must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by,
4. a distance of at least two metres, or
5. plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
6. The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.
7. The person responsible for the establishment must actively screen any dine-in patrons in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the establishment.
8. The person responsible for the establishment must,
9. record the name and contact information of every patron that enters an area of the establishment, unless the patron temporarily enters the area to place, pick up or pay for a takeout order,
10. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

6. No patron shall dance at the establishment.

(2) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the establishment must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(3) Paragraphs 4 and 5 of subsection (1) do not apply with respect to an establishment which requires all dine-in patrons to order or select their food or drink at a counter, food bar or cafeteria line and pay before receiving their order.

(4) Paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 of subsection (1) do not apply,

(a)  with respect to establishments on hospital premises or in an airport; or

(b)  with respect to an establishment located within a business or place if the only patrons permitted at the establishment are persons who perform work for the business or place in which the establishment is located.

(5) For greater certainty, any business, place, facility or establishment at which food or drink is sold or served, including those referred to in section 4 of Schedule 1 and in sections 4 and 5, paragraph 1 of section 18, and sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32 and 33 of this Schedule, is a food or drink establishment to which this section applies,

(a)  at any time when food or drink is served or sold at the business, place, facility or establishment; and

(b)  in any part of the business, place, facility or establishment where the food or drink is served or sold.

(6) For greater certainty, a restaurant, bar, food truck, concession stand or other food or drink establishment that is in compliance with the conditions set out in subsection (1) may open in any business or place that is otherwise permitted to open under this Order.

(7) For greater certainty, this section does not apply to food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, during a time when patrons are permitted to make use of the dance facilities.

(8) The physical distancing described in subsections 3 (1) and 3.1 (4) of Schedule 1 is not required when patrons are seated together at a table in a food or drink establishment.

Food or drink establishments with dance facilities

2. (1) Food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs, restoclubs and other similar establishments, may open if they comply with the following conditions during any time when patrons are permitted to make use of the dance facilities:
3. In the case of an indoor establishment, the total number of members of the public permitted to be in the establishment at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the establishment and in any event may not exceed 25 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (4) of Schedule 1, or 250 persons, whichever is less.
4. In the case of an outdoor establishment, the total number of members of the public permitted to be at the establishment at any one time may not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1, or 5,000 persons, whichever is less.
5. The establishment must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by,
6. a distance of at least two metres, or
7. plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
8. Every patron in an outdoor establishment must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1, or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.
9. The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.
10. The person responsible for the establishment must actively screen patrons in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the premises of the establishment.
11. The person responsible for the establishment must,
12. record the name and contact information of every patron that enters an area of the establishment,
13. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 4 of subsection (1), the references to “indoor area” in clauses 2 (4) (i) and (l) of Schedule 1 shall be read as “outdoor area”, and for greater certainty patrons are permitted to remove a mask or face covering temporarily to consume food or drink, or as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety.

(3) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the establishment must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(4) Subsection 3.1 (4) of Schedule 1 continues to apply to patrons of the dance facility, except when physical distancing cannot be maintained while participating in the activities for which patrons normally frequent such an establishment.

(5) The physical distancing described in subsections 3 (1) and 3.1 (4) of Schedule 1 is not required when patrons are seated together at a table in an establishment to which this section applies.

Services

Public libraries, exception to capacity rule

3. Subsection 3 (1) of Schedule 1 does not apply to any part of a public library that is used,

(a)  for a day camp or overnight camp for children described in section 19;

(b)  by a provider of child care within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014; or

(c)  for the purpose of the provision of social services.

Community centres and multi-purpose facilities

4. (1) Community centres and multi-purpose facilities may open to permit space to be used for any purpose if they comply with the following conditions:
5. Any indoor or outdoor sports or recreational fitness activities must be in compliance with section 16.

(2) Subsection 3 (1) of Schedule 1 does not apply to any part of the community centre or multi-purpose facility that is used,

(a)  for a day camp or overnight camp for children described in section 19;

(b)  by a provider of child care within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014; or

(c)  for the purpose of the provision of social services.

Short-term rentals

5. Businesses providing short-term rental accommodation may open if they comply with the following condition:
6. Any indoor fitness centres or other indoor recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses must be in compliance with section 16.

Hotels, motels, etc.

6. Hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other shared rental accommodation, including student residences, may open if they comply with the following condition:
7. Any indoor fitness centres or other indoor recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses must be in compliance with section 16.

Real estate agencies

7. For greater certainty, subsection 3 (1) of Schedule 1 applies to any open house events a real estate agency hosts, provides or supports.

Personal care services

8. (1) Personal care services relating to the hair or body, including hair salons and barbershops, manicure and pedicure salons, aesthetician services, piercing services, tanning salons, spas and tattoo studios, may open if they comply with the following conditions:
9. Persons who provide personal care services in the business must wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
10. For greater certainty, subsection 3 (1) of Schedule 1 must be complied with.
11. The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.
12. Oxygen bars must be closed.
13. Individuals must be actively screened in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the establishment.
14. No member of the public may be permitted to enter the premises except by appointment.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to hair and makeup services described in section 20.

Personal physical fitness trainers

9. (1) Personal physical fitness trainers may open if they comply with the following conditions:
10. The number of patrons permitted indoors,
11. must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in an indoor space, and
12. in any event may not exceed 50 per cent of the capacity of the indoor space where the services are provided, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1, if the services are provided in an indoor space where a maximum occupant load applies under Ontario Regulation 213/07 (Fire Code), made under theFire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.
13. The personal physical fitness trainer must,
14. record the name and contact information of every member of the public whom they are providing services to,
15. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

3. The personal physical fitness trainer must actively screen individuals in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they engage in personal physical fitness training activities.

(2) For greater certainty, the personal physical fitness trainer must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(3) For greater certainty, any person who is engaged in physical fitness training activities indoors must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the establishment except from their caregiver or from members of the person’s household.

(4) For greater certainty, subsection 3.1 (1) of Schedule 1 applies to persons who are engaged in physical fitness training activities indoors, unless they are subject to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of that Schedule, including the one set out in subclause (i) (ii) of that subsection.

Shopping and retail

Retailers

10. (1) Businesses that engage in retail sales to the public may open if they comply with the following conditions:
11. The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.
12. If the business permits members of the public to test drive any vehicles, boats or watercraft,
13. the members of the public must be actively screened in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they participate in the test drive, and
14. all participants in the test drive must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1.

(2) For greater certainty, the total number of patrons permitted indoors in the establishment must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the establishment.

(3) Despite subsection 32 (2) of Ontario Regulation 268/18 (General) made under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, a person responsible for a specialty vape store as defined in that Regulation that is permitted to be open in accordance with the conditions described in subsection (1) shall not permit an electronic cigarette to be used for the purpose of sampling a vapour product in the specialty vape store.

(4) Cannabis retail stores operating under the authority of a retail store authorization issued under the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 may open if they comply with the conditions set out in subsection (1) and provide products to patrons through in-person sales or through an alternative method of sale, such as curbside pick-up or delivery.

Shopping malls

11. Shopping malls may open if the person responsible for the shopping mall ensures that the following conditions are complied with:
12. Members of the public who enter the shopping mall must not be permitted to loiter in any area of the shopping mall.
13. The number of members of the public in the shopping mall at any one time must not exceed the total capacity determined by taking the sum of the capacities of every business in the mall, as permitted under subsection 10 (2).

Education

Schools and private schools

12. (1) Schools and private schools within the meaning of theEducation Act shall not provide in-person teaching or instruction.

(2) Despite subsection (1), schools and private schools within the meaning of the Education Act may open to the extent necessary,

(a)  to facilitate the operation of a child care centre within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014;

(b)  to allow staff of the school or private school to provide remote teaching, instruction or support to pupils, so long as the school or private school operates in accordance with a return to school direction issued by the Ministry of Education and approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health;

(c)  to provide in-person instruction to pupils with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning and who wish to attend a school or their private school for in-person instruction, so long as the school or private school operates in accordance with a return to school direction issued by the Ministry of Education and approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health;

(d)  to facilitate the operation of a day camp or overnight camp for children described in section 19; or

(e)  to facilitate the operation of an EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to schools that meet the condition set out in subsection (4) and that are operated by,

(a)  a band, a council of a band or the Crown in right of Canada;

(b)  an education authority that is authorized by a band, a council of a band or the Crown in right of Canada; or

(c)  an entity that participates in the Anishinabek Education System.

(4) A school described in subsection (3) may open if it meets the following condition:

1. If a person who holds a study permit issued under theImmigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) and who entered Canada on or after November 17, 2020 attends the school, in-person teaching or instruction may only be provided to that person if the school or private school,
2. has a plan respecting COVID-19 that has been approved by the Minister of Education, and
3. operates in accordance with the approved plan.

(5) If a board within the meaning of the Education Act offers a personal support worker training program through adult and continuing education, the rules in subsection 13 (1) apply to the program.

(6) For greater certainty, recreational amenities and facilities used for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities on the premises of a school or private school may open, as long as they are in compliance with section 16.

Post-secondary institutions

13. (1) Post-secondary institutions may open to provide in-person teaching or instruction if they comply with the following conditions:
14. The instructional space must be operated to enable students to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the instructional space, except where necessary for teaching and instruction that cannot be effectively provided if physical distancing is maintained.
15. The total number of students permitted to be in each instructional space in the institution at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the space, and in any event cannot exceed,
16. if the instructional space is indoors, the lesser of the following:
17. 50 per cent of the capacity of the instructional space, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1, or
18. 1,000 persons, and
19. if the instructional space is outdoors, the lesser of the following:
20. 15,000 persons, or
21. 75 per cent of the capacity of the instructional space, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1.

(2) In this section,

“post-secondary institution” means,

(a)  a university,

(b)  a college of applied arts and technology,

(c)  a private career college,

(d)  an Indigenous Institute prescribed for the purposes of section 6 of the Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017,

(e)  an institution that is authorized to grant a degree by an Act of the Legislature,

(f)  a person who is delivering in-person teaching or instruction in accordance with a consent given under section 4 of the Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000,

(g)  a person approved to provide training for apprenticeship programs under paragraph 5 of section 64 of the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009, or

(h)  any other institution that is a designated learning institution within the meaning of section 211.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Canada), other than a school or private school within the meaning of the Education Act.

Businesses that provide teaching and instruction

14. Businesses that provide in-person teaching and instruction may open if they comply with the following conditions:
15. The space for any in-person teaching or instruction must be operated to enable students to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the space, except where necessary for teaching and instruction that cannot be effectively provided if physical distancing is maintained.
16. The total number of students permitted to be in each instructional space at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the space, and in any event,
17. if the space is indoors cannot exceed 50 per cent of the capacity of the instructional space as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1, or 1,000 persons, whichever is less, and
18. if the space is outdoors cannot exceed 75 per cent of the capacity of the instructional space, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1, or 15,000 persons, whichever is less.
19. Students must be actively screened in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the business.
20. The person responsible for the business shall,
21. record the name and contact information of every student who attends the in-person teaching and instruction,
22. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

Driving instruction

15. (1) Businesses that provide driving instruction in a motor vehicle may open if they comply with the following conditions:
16. Every student must be actively screened in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the vehicle.
17. Every student and instructor must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin when in the vehicle.

(2) For greater certainty, driving instruction that is provided in an instructional space must comply with the conditions set out in section 14.

(3) A person is not required to comply with subsection 3 (1) or 3.1 (4) of Schedule 1 when driving instruction is provided in a motor vehicle.

Sports and fitness

Facilities used for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities

16. (1) Facilities used for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities may open if they comply with the following conditions:
17. In the case of an indoor facility, the total number of members of the public permitted to be in the facility at any one time must be limited to 50 per cent of the capacity of the facility, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1.
18. The number of spectators at the facility at any one time must not exceed the following limits:
19. In the case of a facility that has a designated area for indoor spectators, 50 per cent of the usual indoor seating capacity, or 1,000 persons, whichever is less.
20. In the case of a facility that has a designated area for outdoor spectators, 75 per cent of the usual outdoor seating capacity, or 15,000 persons, whichever is less.

iii.  In the case of a facility that does not have a designated area for indoor spectators, the number of spectators in the indoor area of the facility at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the indoor area of the facility and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1, or 1,000 persons, whichever is less.

1. In the case of a facility that does not have a designated area for outdoor spectators, the number of spectators in the outdoor area of the facility at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1, or 5,000 persons, whichever is less.
2. Every indoor spectator must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1.
3. Every outdoor spectator must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1, or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.
4. The person responsible for the facility, or, where there is no such responsible person, the person holding a permit for the use of the facility must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the facility is permitted to operate.
5. The person responsible for the facility, or, where there is no such responsible person, the person holding a permit for the use of the facility, must,
6. record the name and contact information of every member of the public who enters the facility,
7. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

7. The person responsible for the facility or, where there is no such responsible person, the person holding a permit for the use of the facility, must actively screen individuals who enter the facility in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the facility.
8. Prior to permitting any participants in an organized sports league or event  to practise or play the sport in the facility, the facility must ensure that the league or event has prepared a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 4 of subsection (1), the references to “indoor area” in clauses 2 (4) (i) and (l) of Schedule 1 shall be read as “outdoor area”, and for greater certainty, spectators are permitted to remove a mask or face covering temporarily to consume food or drink, or as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety.

(3) For greater certainty, but subject to subsection (6), every person in an indoor area of the facility must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the establishment except from their caregiver or from members of the person’s household.

(4) Paragraphs 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 of subsection (1), and subsection (3), do not apply to any part of the facility that is being used,

(a)  for a day camp or overnight camp for children described in section 19;

(b)  by a provider of child care within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014; or

(c)  for the purpose of the provision of social services.

(5) For greater certainty, the facility must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(6) Subsection 3.1 (4) of Schedule 1 does not apply to members of the public engaged in sports or games at facilities for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities or to seated spectators at a seated event at such a facility.

(7) For greater certainty, the requirement to wear a mask or face covering set out in subsection 3.1 (1) of Schedule 1 applies to persons at indoor areas of the facility, unless they are subject to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of that Schedule, including the one set out in subclause (i) (ii) of that subsection.

Recreational amenities

Indoor recreational amenities

17. Indoor recreational amenities may open if they comply with the conditions set out in section 16.

Outdoor recreational amenities

18. Outdoor recreational amenities may open, if they comply with the following conditions, where applicable:
19. The total number of members of the public permitted to be in any indoor clubhouse at the outdoor recreational amenity at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the indoor clubhouse and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent of the capacity of the clubhouse, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1.
20. If the person responsible for an indoor clubhouse at the outdoor recreational amenity rents its space, the conditions in section 4 of Schedule 1 apply.
21. The person responsible for the outdoor amenity must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the indoor clubhouse is permitted to operate.

Camps for children

Camps for children

19. (1) Day camps for children may open if they operate in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 for day camps produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

(2) Camps that provide supervised overnight accommodation for children may open if they operate in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 for overnight camps produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Media industries

Film and television production

20. (1) Commercial film and television production, including all supporting activities such as hair, makeup and wardrobe, may open if they comply with the following conditions:
21. Persons who provide hair or makeup services must wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
22. The number of members of the public permitted to be in the studio audience at any one time must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 persons, whichever is less.
23. The person responsible for the film or television production must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the studio audience capacity limits under which the production is permitted to operate.
24. If there is a studio audience, the person responsible for the film or television production must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.
25. The person responsible for the film or television production must ensure that the production operates in accordance with the guidance document titled “Film and television industry health and safety during COVID-19” issued by the Film and Television Health and Safety Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, as amended from time to time.

(2) For greater certainty, for the purposes of this section, the film or television set may be located in any business or place, including any business or place that is otherwise required to be closed under this Order.

Photography studios and services

21. (1) Photography studios and services may open if they comply with the following conditions:
22. If the studio or the place where the service is provided is indoors, individuals must be actively screened in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the establishment.
23. The person responsible for the studio or service must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.

(2) For greater certainty, the total number of patrons permitted indoors at the studio or the place where the service is provided must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the establishment.

Entertainment

Concert venues, theatres and cinemas

22. (1) Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open if they comply with the following conditions:
23. The number of members of the public at an outdoor seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity for the concert venue, theatre or cinema, or 15,000 persons, whichever is less.
24. The number of members of the public in the outdoor area of the concert, event, performance or movie at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity of the concert venue, theatre or cinema, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1, or 5,000 persons, whichever is less.
25. The number of members of the public at an indoor seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema at any one time must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity for the concert venue, theatre or cinema, or 1,000 persons, whichever is less.
26. The number of members of the public permitted to be in a particular room in the indoor portion of the seated concert, event, performance or movie at any one time must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity of the room in the concert venue, theatre or cinema, and the total capacity for the particular room cannot be added to increase the total capacity of the concert venue, theatre, or cinema as provided for under paragraph 3.
27. Every member of the public who is outdoors at a concert, event, performance or movie must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1, or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.
28. No member of the public may attend a seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema unless they have made a reservation to do so.
29. The person responsible for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the concert venue, theatre or cinema is permitted to operate and the capacity limits of any seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 5 of subsection (1), the references to “indoor area” in clauses 2 (4) (i) and (l) of Schedule 1 shall be read as “outdoor area”, and for greater certainty members of the public are permitted to remove a mask or face covering temporarily to consume food or drink, or as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety.

(3) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

Drive-in or drive-through venues

23. Outdoor drive-in or drive-through concert venues and theatres and drive-in cinemas may open if they comply with the following conditions:
24. The driver of a motor vehicle at the drive-in cinema or the drive-in or drive-through concert, event or performance must ensure that it is positioned at least two metres away from other motor vehicles.

Museums, etc.

24. (1) Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions may open if they comply with the following conditions:
25. The number of members of the public in the outdoor ticketed area of the attraction at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1.
26. The number of members of the public in the indoor ticketed area of the attraction at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the indoor ticketed area of the attraction and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1.
27. The number of members of the public at a seated event or activity within the attraction at any one time must not exceed,
28. 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity for the event or activity, in the case of events or activities indoors, or 1,000 persons, whichever is less, and
29. 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity for the event or activity, in the case of events or activities outdoors, or 15,000 persons, whichever is less.
30. The number of members of the public at an outdoor event or activity at the attraction at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1, or 5,000 persons, whichever is less.
31. The number of members of the public permitted to be in a particular room in the indoor portion of the attraction at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the room and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity of the room in the attraction, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1, or if it is a seated event or activity taking place in the room, must be limited in accordance with subparagraph 3 i of this subsection, and the total capacity for the particular room cannot be added to increase the total capacity of the indoor ticketed area as provided for under paragraph 2 of this subsection.
32. If a concert, event, performance or movie is held at the park, the conditions in section 22 apply with respect to the concert, event, performance or movie, except that the maximum capacity permitted under section 22 may not be added to the maximum capacity permitted under this section so as to increase the capacity permitted under this section.
33. No member of the public may attend a seated event or activity within the attraction or an indoor event or activity within the attraction unless they have made a reservation to do so.
34. Any indoor amusement rides operated by the attraction must be operated to enable every person on the ride to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person on the ride, except where necessary,
35. to facilitate payment, or
36. for the purposes of health and safety.
37. Any indoor tour vehicles operated by the attraction must be operated to enable every person on the tour vehicle, including tour guides, to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person, except where necessary,
38. to facilitate payment, or
39. for the purposes of health and safety.
40. Paragraphs 8 and 9 do not apply in respect of a group of persons if the persons are all,
41. members of the same household,
42. a member of one other household who lives alone, or

iii.  a caregiver for any member of either household.

11. The person responsible for the attraction must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the attraction is permitted to operate and the capacity limits of any seated event or activity within the attraction.

(2) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the attraction must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(3) For greater certainty, every person on an indoor amusement ride or indoor tour vehicle must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1.

Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments

25. (1) Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments may open if they comply with the following conditions:
26. The number of members of the public in the establishment at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent of the maximum occupancy of the establishment, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1.
27. If a concert, event, performance or movie is held at the establishment, the conditions in section 22 apply with respect to the concert, event, performance or movie, except that the maximum capacity permitted under section 22 may not be added to the maximum capacity permitted under this section so as to increase the capacity permitted under this section.
28. Members of the public who enter the establishment must not be permitted to loiter in any area of the establishment or congregate at or around any of the tables where games are played.
29. Patrons must be separated from table game employees by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
30. If the casino, bingo hall or establishment houses an attraction, the conditions in section 24 apply with respect to the attraction.
31. The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.
32. The person responsible for the establishment must,
33. record the name and contact information of every patron that enters an area of the establishment,
34. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

8. The person responsible for the establishment must actively screen patrons in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the premises of the establishment.

(2) For greater certainty, any general requirements for cleaning at the establishment apply with respect to chips, cards, dice, card holders and other table game equipment.

(3) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the establishment must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

Racing venues

26. (1) Horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues may open if they comply with the following conditions:
27. The number of members of the public in an indoor seated area of the venue at any one time must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual indoor seating capacity for the venue, or 1,000 persons, whichever is less.
28. The number of members of the public in an outdoor seated area of the venue at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent of the usual outdoor seating capacity for the venue, or 15,000 persons, whichever is less.
29. The number of members of the public at an outdoor unseated event or activity at the venue at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1, or 5,000 persons, whichever is less.
30. Every member of the public in an outdoor area of the venue must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1, or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.
31. No member of the public may attend a seated event or activity within the venue or an indoor event or activity within the venue unless they have made a reservation to do so.
32. The person responsible for the venue must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the venue is permitted to operate.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 4 of subsection (1), the references to “indoor area” in clauses 2 (4) (i) and (l) of Schedule 1 shall be read as “outdoor area”, and for greater certainty members of the public are permitted to remove a mask or face covering temporarily to consume food or drink, or as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety.

(3) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the venue must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

Amusement parks

27. (1) Amusement parks and waterparks may open if they comply with the following conditions:
28. The number of members of the public in the outdoor area of the park at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1.
29. The number of members of the public in the indoor area of the park at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the indoor area of the park and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1.
30. The number of members of the public at any particular outdoor attraction within the park at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1.
31. The number of members of the public at any particular indoor attraction within the park at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the indoor attraction and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1.
32. No member of the public may attend a seated event within the park or an indoor event or activity within the park unless they have made a reservation to do so.
33. If a concert, event, performance or movie is held at the park, the conditions in section 22 apply with respect to the concert, event, performance or movie, except that the maximum capacity permitted under section 22 may not be added to the maximum capacity permitted under this section so as to increase the capacity permitted under this section.
34. Any indoor amusement rides at the park must be operated to enable every person on the ride to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person on the ride, except where necessary,
35. to facilitate payment, or
36. for the purposes of health and safety.
37. Paragraph 7 does not apply in respect of a group of persons if the persons are all,
38. members of the same household,
39. a member of one other household who lives alone, or

iii.  a caregiver for any member of either household.

9. The person responsible for the park must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the park is permitted to operate and the capacity limits of any seated event or activity within the park.

(2) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the park must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(3) For greater certainty, every person on an indoor amusement ride, other than a water ride, must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1.

Fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals

28. (1) Fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals and similar events may open if they comply with the following conditions:
29. The number of members of the public in the outdoor area of the facility where the event takes place at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1.
30. The number of members of the public in the indoor area of the facility where the event takes place at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the indoor area of the facility and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1.
31. The number of members of the public at any particular outdoor attraction within the facility at any one time must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1.
32. The number of members of the public at any particular indoor attraction within the facility at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the indoor attraction and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (3) of Schedule 1.
33. If a concert, event, performance or movie is held at the facility, the conditions in section 22 apply with respect to the concert, event, performance or movie, except that the maximum capacity permitted under section 22 may not be added to the maximum capacity permitted under this section so as to increase the capacity permitted under this section.
34. Any indoor amusement rides at the facility must be operated to enable every person on the ride to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person on the ride, except where necessary,
35. to facilitate payment, or
36. for the purposes of health and safety.
37. Paragraph 6 does not apply in respect of a group of persons if the persons are all,
38. members of the same household,
39. a member of one other household who lives alone, or

iii.  a caregiver for any member of either household.

8. The person responsible for the event must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the event is permitted to operate.

(2) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the event must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(3) For greater certainty, every person on an indoor amusement ride, other than a water ride, must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1.

Tour and guide services

29. Businesses that provide tour and guide services, including guided hunting trips, tastings and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries, fishing charters, trail riding tours, walking tours and bicycle tours may open if they comply with the following conditions:
30. The number of members of the public on the tour must not exceed the number of persons that would permit every person on the tour, including tour guides, to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person.
31. The person responsible for the business must,
32. record the name and contact information of every patron that participates in the tour,
33. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

3. The person responsible for the business must actively screen employees and any performers in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Boat tours

30. Businesses that provide boat tours in which the passengers are required to embark and disembark within the province of Ontario and that are not otherwise prohibited from opening by an order made by the Minister of Transport (Canada) under theCanada Shipping Act, 2001 may open if they comply with the following conditions:
31. The total number of members of the public permitted on the boat at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person on the vessel, and in any event must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual maximum number of passengers that may be carried on board, as indicated on the vessel’s inspection certificate or Passenger Ship Safety Certificate issued under theVessel Certificates Regulations (Canada) or on an equivalent certificate issued by a foreign government.
32. The person responsible for the business must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the boat tour is permitted to operate.
33. No member of the public may go on the boat tour unless they have made a reservation to do so.
34. The person responsible for the business must,
35. record the name and contact information of every patron that participates in the tour,
36. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

5. The person responsible for the business must actively screen employees and any performers in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Marinas, boating clubs etc.

31. Marinas, boating clubs and other organizations that maintain docking facilities for members or patrons may open if they comply with the following conditions:
32. Any indoor fitness centres or other indoor recreational facilities on the premises must be in compliance with section 16.

Strip clubs

32. (1) Strip clubs may open if they comply with the following conditions:
33. The total number of patrons permitted to be seated at the establishment, whether indoors or outdoors, must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person at the establishment.
34. The establishment must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by,
35. a distance of at least two metres, or
36. plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
37. Performers at the establishment must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from patrons.
38. The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.
39. The person responsible for the establishment must actively screen patrons in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the indoor premises of the establishment.
40. The person responsible for the establishment must,
41. record the name and contact information of every patron that enters an area of the establishment, unless the patron temporarily enters the area to place, pick up or pay for a takeout order,
42. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

(2) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the establishment must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(3) The physical distancing described in subsections 3 (1) and 3.1 (4) of Schedule 1 is not required when patrons are seated together at a table in the establishment.

Bathhouses, sex clubs

33. (1) Bathhouses and sex clubs may open if they comply with the following conditions:
34. Staff of the establishment must wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
35. The total number of members of the public permitted to be in the establishment at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the establishment and in any event may not exceed 25 per cent of the capacity of the establishment, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (4) of Schedule 1, or 250 persons, whichever is less.
36. The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.
37. The person responsible for the establishment must actively screen any patrons in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the indoor premises of the establishment.

5  The person responsible for the establishment must,

1. record the name and contact information of every patron that enters an area of the establishment,
2. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii.  only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

(2) For greater certainty, the person responsible for the establishment must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(3) Section 3.1 (4) of Schedule 1 continues to apply to patrons of the bathhouse or sex club, except when physical distancing cannot be maintained while participating in the activities for which patrons normally frequent such an establishment.

(4) Patrons of the establishment must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin during any period in which they come within two metres of another person, except,

(a)  when masks or face coverings cannot be worn while participating in the activities for which patrons normally frequent such an establishment, or

(b)  if the patron is entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1.

Campgrounds

34. Campgrounds may open if they comply with the following condition:
35. Any indoor fitness centres or other indoor recreational facilities on the premises must be in compliance with section 16.

(2) Section 12 of Schedule 2 to the Regulation, as remade by subsection (1), is revoked and the following substituted:

Schools and private schools

12. (1) Schools and private schools within the meaning of the Education Act may open if they comply with the following conditions:
13. They must be operated in accordance with a return to school direction issued by the Ministry of Education and approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
14. If a person who holds a study permit issued under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) and who entered Canada on or after November 17, 2020 attends the school, in-person teaching or instruction may only be provided to that person if the school or private school,
15. has a plan respecting COVID-19 that has been approved by the Minister of Education, and
16. operates in accordance with the approved plan.

(2) The condition set out in paragraph 1 of subsection (1) does not apply to a school operated by,

(a)  a band, a council of a band or the Crown in right of Canada;

(b)  an education authority that is authorized by a band, a council of a band or the Crown in right of Canada; or

(c)  an entity that participates in the Anishinabek Education System.

7. Schedule 3 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

SCHEDULE 3: ORGANIZED PUBLIC EVENTS, CERTAIN GATHERINGS

Gatherings

1. (1) Subject to sections 2 to 5, no person shall attend,

(a)  an organized public event of more than,

(i)  25 people if the event is held indoors, or

(ii)  100 people if the event is held outdoors;

(b)  a social gathering of more than,

(i)  25 people if the event is held indoors, or

(ii)  100 people if the event is held outdoors; or

(c)  a social gathering associated with a wedding, a funeral or a religious service, rite or ceremony of more than,

(i)  25 people if the event is held indoors, or

(ii)  100 people if the event is held outdoors.

(2) For greater certainty, the limits in clause (1) (c) apply to a social gathering associated with a wedding, a funeral or a religions service, rite or ceremony, such as a wedding reception, while the limits that apply to the wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony itself are set out in sections 6 and 7.

(3) For greater certainty, subsections (1) and (2) apply with respect to an organized public event or social gathering even if it is held at a private dwelling, including houses, apartment buildings, condominium buildings and post-secondary student residences.

Exceptions, single household

2. Section 1 does not apply with respect to,

(a)  a gathering of members of a single household;

(b)  a gathering that includes members of a household and one other person from another household who lives alone; or

(c)  a gathering that includes persons described in clause (a) or (b), and a caregiver for any of those persons.

Exception, retirement homes

3. Section 1 does not apply with respect to a gathering in a retirement home within the meaning of theRetirement Homes Act, 2010 if it is in compliance with the policies or guidance, if any, issued by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.

Exceptions from organized public event requirements

4. The prohibitions on attendance at an organized public event in clause 1 (1) (a) do not apply with respect to attendance at,

(a)  an event at a business or place to which a capacity limit set out in Schedule 1 or 2 applies, if the event is held in accordance with that capacity limit;

(b)  a day camp or overnight camp for children that is in compliance with section 19 of Schedule 2; or

(c)  a drive-in cinema, or a business or place that provides drive-in or drive-through concerts, artistic events, theatrical performances and other performances, that is in compliance with section 23 of Schedule 2.

Exceptions from social gathering requirements

5. The prohibitions on attendance at a social gathering in clauses 1 (1) (b) and 1 (1) (c) do not apply with respect to attendance at,

(a)  a meeting or event space, including a conference centre or convention centre, operating in compliance with section 4 of Schedule 1; or

(b)  a food or drink establishment operating in compliance with section 1 of Schedule 2.

Indoor wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony

6. (1) This section applies with respect to gatherings for the purposes of a wedding, a funeral or a religious service, rite or ceremony, if the gathering is held in a building or structure other than a private dwelling.

(2) No person shall attend a gathering to which this section applies unless the following conditions are met:

1. The number of persons occupying any room in the building or structure while attending the gathering must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the room.
2. All persons attending the gathering must comply with public health guidance on physical distancing.

Outdoor wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony

7. (1) This section applies with respect to outdoor gatherings for the purposes of a wedding, a funeral or a religious service, rite or ceremony.

(2) No person shall attend a gathering to which this section applies unless the following condition is met:

1. All persons attending the gathering must comply with public health guidance on physical distancing.

Commencement

8. (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Regulation comes into force on the day it is filed.

(2) Subsection 6 (2) comes into force on the later of August 1, 2021 and the day this Regulation is filed.

NEXT STEPS

• Read the Full Regulation –  O. Reg. 520/21: RULES FOR AREAS IN STAGE 3
• See additional information on our COVID-19 offer.
• Learn more about how our safety management software features can you help your JHSC perform and manage inspections, distribute reports, assign action items, develop safe work procedures,  perform safety talks,  committee meeting minutes and incident reports.

The post COVID-19 Coronavirus: Ontario Stage 3 Reopening appeared first on Able Audit.

Provinces became more punitive in their approach to COVID-19 infractions during the second wave of the pandemic, says the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in a report that suggests Quebec and Manitoba were particularly forceful in handing out tickets. The provinces have now reached over $24 million in fines issued since the outset of the pandemic.

In Ontario, an inspection blitz sent dozens of Ministry of Labour inspectors and local bylaw enforcement officers out to large retailers across Ontario. Individuals found to be violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act can be fined up to $100,000 and imprisoned for as long as one year, while corporations can be fined up to $1.5 million per charge.

A COVID-19 workplace safety plan checklist is included in the Able Audit platform. Employers can use this checklist to make sure their COVID-19 workplace safety plan contains key elements to help protect workers, customers and the general public.

The Able Audit Platform includes many resources to assist with your reopening plans including:

• COVID-19 Resources and Checklists
• Worker and Customer Screening and Contact Tracing
• Workplace Safety Inspection Tools and Action Items
• Communication and Training Tools for Staff

See additional information on our COVID-19 offer.

Reopening Plans Across Canada

As COVID-19 vaccination rates increase and case numbers drop across the country, the provinces and territories have begun releasing the reopening plans for businesses, events and recreational facilities.

Most of the plans are based on each jurisdiction reaching vaccination targets at certain dates, while also keeping the number of cases and hospitalizations down.

Here’s a look at what reopening plans look like across the country:

Ontario

The province is allowing outdoor concerts, open-air movie screens and performing arts shows after moving to the second stage in its reopening plan. Audience capacity is capped at 25 per cent of the outdoor space or seating area, with organizers required to have the maximum capacity restrictions visibly posted within the outdoor space. All tickets must be sold as reserved seats.


Other measures also allow musicians to perform at indoor concert venues for a limited number of reasons.

Live streaming shows are permitted, however, the performances cannot host any spectators.

Indoor venues can hold band rehearsals with certain distancing and safety measures in place.


Restrictions have been lowered for the film and TV industry as well. In particular, a cap of 50 performers on a set is being eliminated, though studio audiences are still not allowed. Indoor cinemas and public concerts still won’t be permitted with capacity restrictions until the third stage.


On Friday, July 16 at 12:01 a.m., Ontario will move to Step 3.
Read the regulation to learn what’s open in Step 3.

Newfoundland and Labrador

The province’s reopening plan begins with a transition period during which some health restrictions, like limits on gatherings, will loosen.

Requirements for testing and self-isolation lifted entirely for fully vaccinated Canadian travellers on Canada Day, while those requirements will ease over the next few months for travellers with just one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.


If case counts, hospitalization and vaccination targets are met, the province expects to reopen dance floors as early as Aug. 15, and lift capacity restrictions on businesses, restaurants and lounges while maintaining physical distancing between tables.

As early as Sept. 15, mask requirements for indoor public spaces would be reviewed.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has moved into Phase 2 of its five-step reopening plan, which allows such things as indoor dining at restaurants and bars, a 50 per cent customer capacity for retail stores and increased gathering limits.

The province has allowed all public and private schools to reopen. A limit of 10 people gathering informally indoors is in place, and up to 25 people are allowed to gather informally outdoors without social distancing.

Festivals and special events may take place at 25 per cent of the venue’s capacity with a maximum of 50 people indoors and up to 75 people outdoors with social distancing.


Indoor and outdoor restaurant dining is allowed with two metres between tables and a maximum of 10 people at each table. Restaurants can only serve dine-in customers until 11 p.m. and must close by 12 a.m., however take-out, delivery and drive-thru service can still be offered after 12 a.m.

Hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons and body art establishments are open but by appointment only.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick has moved into Phase 2 of its reopening plan, having reached its goal of having 20 per cent of people 65 or older vaccinated with two doses of a COVID vaccine.

Premier Blaine Higgs says the change opens travel without the need to isolate to all of Nova Scotia after opening to P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Travellers from elsewhere in Canada who’ve had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed into the province without the need to isolate, while those who haven’t had a shot will have to isolate and produce a negative test before being released from quarantine.


Other changes allow restaurants, gyms and salons to operate at full capacity as long as customer contact lists are kept.
In the third phase, the province will lift all COVID-19 restrictions.

Prince Edward Island

The province has allowed personal gatherings to increase so that up to 20 people can get together indoors and outdoors. Restaurants are allowed to have tables of up to 20. Special occasion events like backyard weddings and anniversary parties of up to 50 people hosted by individuals are permitted with a reviewed operational plan.


The province projects that on July 18, its non-medical mask requirement will ease, and organized gatherings hosted by a business or other organization will be permitted with groups of up to 200 people outdoors or 100 people indoors.

On Sept. 12, the province expects physical distancing measures to be eased, as well as allowing personal and organized gatherings to go ahead without limits.

Quebec

All of Quebec is now at the lowest green alert level under the province’s COVID-19 response plan as public health restrictions continue to ease.

Up to 20 people are now allowed to share a table on restaurant and bar patios.


Outdoor gatherings on private property can also include up to 20 people. Capacity for weddings and funerals is now 250 people, but wedding receptions are capped at 25 attendees indoors and 50 outside.


Last month, the province permitted gyms and restaurant dining rooms to reopen. Supervised outdoor sports and recreation are also allowed in groups of up to 25 people.

Quebec ended its nightly curfew on May 28. It also lifted travel bans between regions and increased the number of people allowed to attend sporting events and festivals to 3,500.

Manitoba

Manitobans can return to restaurants, go to church and meet with larger groups as the province brings in the first step of its reopening plan ahead of schedule.


More than 71 per cent of eligible residents have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and about 27 per cent have had a second shot. That means some restrictions have been loosened earlier than planned.


Restaurants and bars are limited to 25 per cent capacity indoors and 50 per cent on patios. Hair salons, gyms and indoor sports can resume operating, but with capacity restrictions. Hair and nail salons, as well as barber shops, are available by appointment only.


Outdoor gatherings on private property are capped at 10 people and groups in public areas are limited to 25.

The number of worshippers at faith services are also capped.

Businesses, such as casinos and movie theatres, will remain closed. They are expected to open at later stages of the plan this summer.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has announced it will remove all public health orders as of Sunday, July 11 — and that includes the removal of the province-wide mandatory masking order, as well as capacity limits on events and gathering sizes.


Premier Scott Moe says the province is going ahead with full implementation of Step 3 of its Reopening Roadmap because 70 per cent of residents over the age of 18 and 69 per cent of those over 12 have now received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.


Currently, large retailers must reduce the capacity of their stores to 25 per cent, while other retailers must cut their capacity to 50 per cent.

Restaurants and bars must maintain two metres of physical distance between tables or erect a structural barrier between tables if distancing isn’t possible. Tables are limited to six people at a time. Dance floors and buffets remain closed.

Places of worship are allowed up to 30 per cent of their seating capacity or 150 people, whichever is less. And individuals must be separated by two metres, unless they are part of the same extended household.

A maximum of 30 people are allowed to attend gatherings at banquet and conference facilities, which includes wedding and funeral receptions. No food or beverages are allowed.

And a maximum of 30 people are allowed in a movie theatre, but staff and customers must be able to maintain two metres of physical distance. The same rule applies to live theatre.

Alberta

All remaining COVID-19 restrictions were lifted as of July 1.
There are no longer limits on weddings, funerals or bans on indoor social gatherings. In addition, there are no more limits on gyms, sports or fitness activities, no more capacity limits at restaurants, in retail stores or in places of worship.


Anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will still be required to self-isolate and protective measures at continuing care centres may remain.

The overall requirement for masks in public indoor spaces has ended, but masks may still be required in taxis, on public transit and on ride shares.

British Columbia

The province took the next step in its reopening plan on Canada Day when most COVID-19 restrictions were removed and outdoor gatherings of up to 5,000 people got the go ahead.

Restaurants and pubs no longer have limits on the number of diners, but people are still not allowed to mingle with those at other tables. Masks are no longer mandatory and recreational travel outside the province can resume.


Casinos and nightclubs are open for the first time in 16 months, but some barriers remain in place and socializing between tables is not allowed.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says some businesses may want people to continue wearing masks for now, and everyone should comply with those requirements or face the potential of fines.


All COVID-19 restrictions are expected to be removed on Labour Day.

Nunavut

Public health orders affecting what is allowed to open vary by community.

Restrictions in Iqaluit were eased on Friday. Travel restrictions in and out of Iqaluit have been lifted. A household can now have up to 10 people in their home and up to 50 people can gather outdoors.

Theatres and restaurants can also open at 25 per cent capacity or 25 people, whichever is less.

Meanwhile in Kinngait and Rankin Inlet, outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people and those indoors are restricted to a household plus 15 people. Restaurants and bars are allowed to open for regular business at 50 per cent capacity, and there must be a two metre distance between tables, with no more than six people seated or around each table.

Northwest Territories

Up to 25 people are allowed in a business that is following an approved COVID-19 plan. Households can have up to 10 people with a maximum of five guests from another household.


Non-essential travel outside the territory is not recommended, and leisure travel into the territory is not permitted.

The territory is no longer requiring masks to be worn in public places in Yellowknife and three other communities.

Chief public health officer Dr. Kami Kandola says it’s still a good idea to wear a mask indoors when there is a crowd, poor ventilation, or shouting or singing.

Yukon:

Bars and restaurants are allowed to operate at full capacity with restrictions, while social bubbles have increased to 20 people. Social gatherings indoors of up to 20 people are allowed with physical distancing, while outdoors up to 100 people can gather. Organized gatherings, such as festivals or weddings, of up to 200 people are allowed with physical distancing.

Camp and recreational programs are allowed to have 20 participants indoors with physical distancing and mask wearing; and 100 participants outdoors with physical distancing. Gyms and recreation centres can operate with up to 200 people with physical distancing.

Next Steps

The Able Audit Platform includes many resources to assist with your reopening plans including:

• COVID-19 Resources and Checklists
• Worker and Customer Screening and Contact Tracing
• Workplace Safety Inspection Tools and Action Items
• Communication and Training Tools for Staff

See additional information on our COVID-19 offer.

The post Canada COVID-19 Reopening Plans by Province appeared first on Able Audit.

This document will discuss general precautions a workplace can take to help lower the spread of coronaviruses. For updates on the 2019-n-CoV/COVID-19 situation, please see:

• In Canada: Government of Canada (Public Health Agency of Canada) – Novel Coronavirus infection (Wuhan, China): Outbreak update
• In the USA: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China
• For world reports: World Health Organization – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

How COVID-19 spreads

When someone who has COVID-19 coughs or exhales they release droplets of infected fluid. Most of these droplets fall on nearby surfaces and objects – such as desks, tables or telephones. People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. If they are standing within one meter of a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them. In other words, COVID-19 spreads in a similar way to flu.

Most persons infected with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms and recover. However, some go on to experience more serious illness and may require hospital care. Risk of serious illness rises with age: people over 40 seem to be more vulnerable than those under 40. People with weakened immune systems and people with conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease are also more vulnerable to serious illness.

Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace

The low-cost measures below will help prevent the spread of infections in your workplace, such as colds, flu and stomach bugs, and protect your customers, contractors and employees.

Employers should start doing these things now, even if COVID-19 has not arrived in the communities where they operate. They can already reduce working days lost due to illness and stop or slow the spread of COVID-19 if it arrives at one of your workplaces.

Make sure your workplaces are clean and hygienic

• Surfaces (e.g. desks and tables) and objects (e.g. telephones, keyboards) need to be wiped with disinfectant regularly
• Provide information to employees and customers on proper hand washing techniques (see our new handwashing poster)
• Why? Because contamination on surfaces touched by employees and customers is one of the main ways that COVID-19 spreads

Hazard Prevention Program

Supporting the Internal Responsibility System, the employer should make all revisions to the workplace Hazard Prevention Program by consulting with:

• the policy health and safety committee
• the workplace health and safety committee, or
• the workplace health and safety representative

Federal employees must be provided with training on the hazard and the safe work procedures that will protect them. Employers must keep training records.

Able Audit Resources

Special Program: To help businesses during this crisis,  we are  providing access to a free license  including resources for COVID-19 Coronavirus program and cleaning.

VIEW MORE DETAILS

• COVID-19 Coronavirus: Preparing Your Workplace (WHO)
• COVID-19 Coronavirus: Events and Meetings (WHO)
• COVID-19 Coronavirus: Workplace Travel
• Checklist: Cleaning – Facility (COVID-19)
• Cleaning – Restaurant (COVID-19)

Please See Additional Resources Below

Learn more about how our safety management software features can you help your JHSC perform and manage inspections, distribute reports, assign action items, develop safe work procedures,  perform safety talks,  committee meeting minutes and incident reports.

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