- September 4, 2021
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Ontario has modified the grey zone rules for outdoor dining, outdoor fitness and hair salons
By NOW Staff
Mar 27, 2021
Samuel Engelking
Update (April 7, 2021): This story has been updated from previous versions. The province has suspended the colour-coded framework and implemented an “emergency brake” and issued a new stay-at-home order.
Ontario is suspending the colour-coded COVID-19 response framework effective April 3 at 12:01 am for 28 days. Read the list of shutdown restrictions here. The province has also issued a new stay-at-home order that takes effect on April 8. Read the list of rules here.
Previous story continues below:
Toronto and Peel Region re-entered the grey lockdown zone on March 8 at 12:01 am when the stay-at-home order expired.
The grey level restricts outdoor gatherings to 10 people and allows virtual and drive-in events to resume. Residential eviction enforcement, suspended under the stay-at-home order, has also resumed.
The province has modified the grey lockdown restrictions in the COVID-19 response framework to allow non-essential retailers to reopen with capacity limits.
On March 26, the Ford government announced the rules would be modified again to allow outdoor fitness classes, outdoor personal training and outdoor team training to resume on March 29.
Capacity will be a maximum of 10 patrons and everyone must stay at least three metres apart. Classes and training will require a reservation and patron screening, the province said in a statement.
The province will also allow personal care services to resume operation in grey zones on April 12 at 12:01 am.
Barber shops, hair and nail salons and tattoo shops can operate at 25 per cent capacity or with five patrons (which ever is less), subject to physical distancing. Personal care services must operate by appointment only.
Previously, the grey zone rules were modified again to allow outdoor dining to resume.
The outdoor dining rules, which came into affect at 12:01 am on March 20, require patrons to wear masks when not eating and drinking. People may only sit with members of their same households – the exceptions are caregivers and people who live alone.
“While some regions are proceeding to levels with less restrictive measures and adjustments are being made to dining capacity, everyone must continue to adhere to all public health and workplace safety measures,” Chief Medical Officer of Health David Williams said.
“We have entered the third wave of the pandemic and the rates of variants of concern continue to rise so it is important that people remain cautious and vigilant in order to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 and protect themselves and their communities.”
Provincial public health officials have said Ontario is in an uncertain part of the pandemic as fast-spreading COVID-19 mutations rise as the vaccination campaign ramps up.
“As we continue vaccinating more Ontarians, it remains critical for everyone to continue to follow public health measures and stay home as much as possible to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities,” Health Minister Christine Elliott has said.
She also said fast-spreading variants of concern are steadily increasing at a “worrisome” rate in both areas. “We want to be cautious at this time.”
Public health officials continue to advise people in the lockdown zones to stay home and only go out for work, school, exercise, groceries and other essential needs.
Toronto first entered the lockdown zone last November, until the Ford government suspended the colour-coded framework on Boxing Day as part of a “province-wide shutdown.”
In response to surging cases, Ontario implemented the stay-at-home order on January 14, which introduced tougher penalties for businesses and residents caught violating rules.
Below is the full list of updated (as of March 27) Ontario lockdown restrictions in Toronto, Peel Region and any other regions in the grey zone:
Closed with limited exceptions for:
New to Grey-Lockdown as of February 2021:
In addition:
Drive-in performances are allowed in the grey level of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework.
Performing arts facilities
- Closed to spectators
- Rehearsal or performing a recorded or broadcasted event permitted, with restrictions, which include:
- Performers and employees must maintain 2 metres physical distance except for purposes of the performance
- Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or other impermeable barrier
- Drive-in performances permitted
- A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request
Amusement parks, water parks
- Closed
Animal services
- Services that are permitted include:
- Veterinary services and other businesses that provide for the health and welfare of animals, including farms, boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters and research facilities
- Businesses that provide services for the training and provision of service animals
- Businesses that provide pet services, including pet grooming services, pet sitting services, pet walking services and pet training services
Bathhouses and sex clubs
- Closed
Boarding kennels and stables
- Permitted to open for animal’s owner to visit the animal, assist in the care or feeding of the animal or, as applicable, ride the animal
Campgrounds
- Campsites must be made available only for trailers and recreational vehicles that are used by individuals who are in need of housing, or are permitted to be there by the terms of a full season contract
- Only campsites with electricity, water service and facilities for sewage disposal may be provided for use
- All recreational facilities in the campground and all other shared facilities in the campground, other than washrooms and showers, must be closed
- Short-term campground rentals that were reserved on or before November 22, 2020 are permitted; no new reservations after November 22, 2020 permitted, except for individuals who are in need of housing
Cannabis
- Permitted by curbside pick-up and delivery
Driving instruction
- In-person driving instruction not permitted
- Virtual permitted
Household services
- Domestic and cleaning and maintenance services permitted, including:
- housekeepers, cooks, maids and butlers
- personal affairs management
- nanny services and babysitters
- other domestic personnel
- house cleaning
- Outdoor cleaning and maintenance services permitted, including:
- indoor or outdoor painting
- pool cleaning
- general repairs
Horse racing
- Training only, no races
- No spectators
Hotels, motels
- Permitted to operate except for any pools, fitness centres, meeting rooms and other recreational facilities that may be part of the operations of these businesses
Libraries
- Open for curbside, delivery and pick-up
- Patrons permitted to enter libraries for contactless drop-off and pick-up, and to access computers, photocopiers, or similar services
- May open for permitted services (for example, child care services, AA meetings)
- No classes
Marinas, boating clubs, golf courses and driving ranges
- Marinas and boating clubs permitted
- Clubhouses, restaurants, pools, meeting rooms, fitness centres or other recreational facilities on the premises closed to the public, with limited exceptions
- Golf courses and driving ranges:
- Outdoors permitted
- Indoors closed
- Indoor shooting ranges closed
Media industries
- Sound recording, production, publishing and distribution businesses
- Film and television production, including all supporting activities such as hair, makeup and wardrobe, are permitted to open if they meet the following conditions:
- No studio audiences may be permitted to be on the film or television set
- The set must be configured and operated in such a way as to enable persons on the set to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other persons, except where necessary for the filming of the film or television production
- Persons who provide hair or makeup services must wear appropriate personal protective equipment
- Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier
- Film and television post-production, visual effects and animation studios are permitted
- Book and periodical production, publishing and distribution businesses are permitted
- Interactive digital media businesses, including computer system software or application developers and publishers, and video game developers and publishers are permitted
Motorsports
- Closed
Museums and other cultural amenities (for example, art galleries, science centres)
- Closed (indoors) to members of the public
- Drive-in or drive-through only
Nightclubs
- Only permitted to open if they operate as a restaurant, bar or other food and drink establishment (takeout, drive-through and delivery service only)
Personal services
- In-person personal services not permitted, including:
- personal shoppers
- party and wedding planners
- personal organizer services
- personal physical fitness or sports trainers
- house sitters
Photography studios and services
- Commercial and industrial photography permitted
- Retail photo studios closed
Real estate agencies
- Permitted to operate; property showings by appointment only
Short-term rentals
- Existing reservations as of November 22, 2020 honoured regardless of when the rental occurs
- No new reservations after November 22, 2020 permitted, except for individuals who are in need of housing
- This does not apply to hotels, motels, lodges, resorts and other shared rental accommodation, including student residences
Strip clubs
- Only permitted to open if they operate as a restaurant, bar, or other food and drink establishment (takeout, drive-through and delivery service only)
Tour and guide services
- Closed
Animal services
- Services that are permitted include:
- Veterinary services and other businesses that provide for the health and welfare of animals, including farms, boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters and research facilities
- Businesses that provide services for the training and provision of service animals
- Businesses that provide pet services, including pet grooming services, pet sitting services, pet walking services and pet training services
Zoos and aquariums
- Closed (indoors) to members of the public except for drive-in or drive-through events
- Permitted to operate for the care of animals
@nowtoronto
By NOW Staff
This story is sponsored by the Fantasia International Film Festival.
This article is sponsored by Kia Canada.
This article is sponsored by Goose Island
It’s increasingly looking like this campaign will be won or lost for the Liberals in the only province in which.
There have been more than 52 million vaccine doses administered in Canada as of August 20
The latest modelling data shows ICU occupancy could exceed the third wave peak by October
thank you for the comprehensive list of facilities, services available /not available under the Toronto lockdown mandate. It was a good and understandable guide. We will comply fully because we were given a clear outline of our limitations.
I agree with Susanne Cooper. This was a complete and very clear list. Thank you for taking the time to post this.
What about the dry cleaner? I have things that need dry cleaning only done.
Awesome ?
I do not understand how a house cleaners, maids and butlers are able to come into your home if they do not live there yet your own children or grandchildren are not able to come into your home, please explain. A housekeeper, maid or butler are not an essential service in any respect. This is a service for the wealthy
For a few reasons…I’ll hope 1 suffices. But first, why would you think these are only services for the wealthy? What about the infirm or elderly, or some just at work and just wants the house cleaned?
There is very little reason to be within 6 ft of a house cleaner/maid, or even in the same room. You could even leave the house if you want, if you are even home for the service. A family visit is social. Your grandchildren visiting staying upstairs while you are downstairs is highly unlikely! The government is trying to keep any part of the economy open that allows for distance. You can visit family via phone, video or outdoors. None of this is new, so why the confusion?
Replay to Deborah Brown the cleaning of a home is not only for the wealthy. Someone that has been in a car accident and is unable to tend to their own daily/weekly cleaning needs can have them provided under insurance. Maids, butlers and housekeepers are essential to the people that require them and yes some of the people that procure their services may be wealthy, but that is not the case in all scenarios. We as humans need to be more caring of each other and less judgmental.
Your children and grandchildren not being able to visit in your home is to protect you from Covid. This pandemic seems like a punishment I know, but we will get through it and when our children, grandchildren, friends and other family members are once again allowed into our homes we will be more grateful then ever.
Replay to I agree wth you
The article helped me with what is open in Toronto. Thanks
I see that day cares are not listed here …are they included in the closing of schools
I feel we should let small business open under the certain conditions of so many at one time in the store and with masks on. If we only leave the box stores open and can sell all they want besides food get ready for an economic meltdown of enormous preportions in 2021.Lost jobs, empty stores, empty homes and condos,unpaid mortgages, unpaid loans,unpaid everything ,suicide upswing and higher criminal effects such as robberies out of desperation. You can convince anyone if they or their family are starving.
what about manufacturing
I agree that smaller shops should be able to stay open but unfortunately many of them as I have seen first hand, make little or no attempt to control their numbers. I am a small business supporter but we have to have access to essential items It seems the big box stores have adequate space to distance while keeping many people employed.
What else can we do during these terrible times?
The big box stores are NOT following the rules, I was in Walmart last week at the Dufferin Mall, people crowded around food masks off and talking and neither was their social distancing, and the government knows that, (got out ASAP) but Ford and his cronies permit them to stay open.
The reason they can stay open is big corporations run things and the government; in the end it’s not about how many people get sick or die, it’s all about money. You think the government cares about how many people die, think again.
This government will pay a huge price come election time.
Nobody gives a shit about people anymore. Unfortunately for us, Doug Ford may win another election, because the people of Ontario believe everything he says. God help us when he wins.
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