March 5, 2021
The provincial government has announced that the three public health regions still under Stay-at-Home orders – Toronto, Peel, North Bay-Parry Sound – will be moving to the revised Grey-Lockdown level beginning Monday, March 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
Seven other regions will also be moving to new levels.
Additionally, the Toronto Medical Officer of Health has implemented a Section 22 Class Order that details explicit instructions for employers in the region.
I have provided top line summaries for you followed by the full text of both News Releases.
Revised Grey Zone Level
While the the Grey Level – lockdown does loosen some restrictions, a number remain in place:
- Indoor and outdoor dining service at restaurants remains prohibited
- Sports and indoor recreational fitness facilities remain closed, with limited exceptions
- Team sports, including shinny, remain prohibited at outdoor recreational amenities
- Meeting and event spaces remain closed
- Personal care services like hair and nail salons remain closed
- Indoor cinemas and performing arts facilities remain closed to the public and may be utilized only in limited circumstances
Other regions changing levels
These seven public health regions will be moving to the zones/levels indicated:
Red-Control
- Peterborough Public Health;
- Public Health Sudbury and Districts; and
- Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit.
Orange-Restrict
- Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit; and
- Timiskaming Health Unit.
Yellow-Protect
- Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit; and
- Renfrew County and District Health Unit.
Toronto Section 22 Class Order
Employers should be aware of the requirements in the city’s Class Order which are complementary to – but distinct from – the provincial Grey Level regulations.
Under the Section 22 Class Order, all persons who own or operate a workplace will be required to comply with additional public health measures, including the following, during the period in which the workplace is in an active outbreak of COVID-19:
- Ensure the use of masks by every worker in the workplace at all times for the duration of the outbreak. The only exceptions are if a worker is eating or drinking or other limited exemptions.
- Follow Toronto Public Health instructions pertaining to COVID-19 testing for workers.
- For a workplace common area (i.e. washrooms, lunch rooms, change rooms):
- ensure that 2 meters distance between workers can be maintained;
- limit capacity to 25% of maximum occupancy; and
- post signage indicating the maximum number of people permitted in each common area.
- Provide contact information for a designated contact person at the workplace to manage communications and implement any additional measures as required by Toronto Public Health.
- Maintain a record of every worker that attends the workplace during the outbreak.
- Comply with instructions from infection prevention and control personnel from Toronto Public Health, including allowing entry into the workplace for inspection and to support enhanced infection prevention and control measures.
- Post Toronto Public Health signage about physical distancing, hand washing and mask wearing.
Failure to comply with the Class Order may result in enforcement action, including a fine of $5,000 for an individual or $25,000 for a corporation for every day or part of each day for which non-compliance occurs or a ticket in the amount of $750.
The full text of the News Release can be found at »» this link on the government of Ontario website.