Ontario Announces Provincewide Shutdown to Stop Spread of COVID-19 and Save Lives
The Provincewide Shutdown would put in place time-limited public health and workplace safety measures similar to those in other jurisdictions. It would help stop the trend of high COVID-19 transmission in communities, preserve health system capacity, safeguard vulnerable populations and those who care for them, and save lives. Measures include, but are not limited to:
- Restricting indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household.
- Prohibiting in-person shopping in most retail settings - curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping.
- Restricting indoor access to shopping malls - patrons may only go to a designated indoor pickup area (by appointment only), essential retail stores that are permitted to be open (e.g. pharmacy, grocery store), or, subject to physical distancing and face covering requirements, to the food court for takeout purchases. Shopping malls may also establish outdoor designated pickup areas.
- Prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments will be permitted to operate by take out, drive-through, and delivery only.
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59790/ontario-announces-provincewide-shutdown-to-stop-spread-of-covid-19-and-save-lives
December 17, 2020
Eastern Ontario Health Unit, December 17, 2020
THIS ORDER IS DIRECTED TO THE OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF MULTIDEPARTMENT RETAIL AND GROCERY STORES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO STORES THAT HAVE GROCERY AND PHARMACY DEPARTMENTS LOCATED IN THE UNITED COUNTIES OF STORMONT, DUNDAS & GLENGARRY; THE UNITED COUNTIES OF PRESCOTT-RUSSELL; AND THE CITY OF CORNWALL.
Order is given to take the following actions, effective at 12:01AM on December 19, 2020:
1. Ensure that a maximum number of patrons are established and clearly marked for each department and that departments are staffed to ensure that the total number of patrons permitted per department is respected. Overall store capacity limits must be respected.
2. Signs are posted stating the total number of patrons permitted per department.
3. For clarity, high traffic departments in multi-department stores such as grocery and pharmacy departments must have their own capacity limits.
4. The following additional measures must be implemented:
Ensure Crowd Control:
- Ensure that the flow of patrons is enforced and that patrons congregating together or walking against the directions of the arrows are reminded to abide with the rules.
- Calculate the maximum number of patrons permitted in each department or section based on the square footage available for patrons, i.e. exclude areas occupied by shelves, cash registers, etc.
- Calculate the maximum number of patrons permitted in each department or section based on the availability of staff to control the traffic and ensure that the implemented measures are enforced.
- Control lineups both inside and outside the store to ensure physical distancing of at least 2 meters is maintained and to ensure the total number of patrons in any given department or section is not exceeded because of lined up patrons.
2020-15e-covid-19-section-22-order-multi-department-retail-and-grocery-stores-web-version.pdf
December 14, 2020
Ontario Updates Testing Guidelines for Outbound International Travellers
