Preparing to Reopen your Business Safely: COVID-19

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Last Updated: Thursday October 8, 2020  9:00 am

Reopening Safely - a Guide for Business

Cover of Reopening Safely a Guide for Business

In addition to the guidance provided by the Province of Ontario, City Staff in partnership with the Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Brockville Business Improvement Area have compiled a resource guide to assist you as you prepare to reopen. The guide includes relevant government links and resources such as sector guidance documents, best practices, government approved disinfectants and hand sanitizers, workplace posters, and a list of suppliers to help you equip your workplace with the necessary signage, personal protective equipment (PPE), and cleaning agents you will need to reopen safely.

Please also take advantage of the information below as we will continue to add resources and information.

Posters to communicate your changes to the public:

Shop with Confidence - Help your customers feel safe entering your store with these communication tools

For consistency across the City and throughout Leeds & Grenville, and in consultation with our local Health Unit, we have created posters for businesses to easily communicate with their customers how they are adapting to keep their customers and staff safe.

Please print and check the increased precautionary measures that you are taking in your business. This list will help customers feel more confident entering your business to shop or access your services.

If you do not have a printer and would like to display these posters, please contact us and we will arrange for you to pick some up from us.

Reopening Checklist Sample

Masks/Face Coverings Now Mandatory in Enclosed Public Spaces

Starting July 7, 2020 all businesses in Brockville and our surrounding region will be required to adopt a policy mandated by the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit to ensure facial coverings/masks are worn inside enclosed public spaces. This is an added measure to the existing public health measures in place, to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please click here to read the public health instructions. 

Masks Required Poster from the Health Unit

Under the Instructions for Operators (please read in full for more details), the Operator of an Enclosed Public Space shall post, at every public entrance to the premises, prominent and clearly visible signage that contains the following message:

All persons entering or remaining in these premises must wear a face covering/mask that securely covers the nose, mouth, and chin.

Click here to download a printable poster containing the above statement from the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. Additional posters are available in the "posters" section below, as well as from the Health Unit website.

Every Operator of an Enclosed Public Space shall adopt a policy to ensure that no member of the public is permitted to enter or remain in the public areas of the Enclosed Public Space unless they are wearing a Face Covering/Mask in a manner that securely covers their nose, mouth and chin.

The Province of Ontario has now made it mandatory that everyone wear face coverings in indoor areas of all businesses and organizations. The person responsible for the business or organization that is open shall ensure that any person in the indoor area of the premises of the business or organization, or in a vehicle that is operating as part of of the busines or organization, wears a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose, and chin during any period when they are in the indoor area. To read the full Regulations, as well as applicable exceptions, visit O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 under the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020.

 

“Enclosed Public Space” means indoor public spaces accessed by the public. These include but are not limited to:

  1. Restaurants, cafés, cafeterias, banquet halls;
  2. Retail establishments and shopping malls;
  3. Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, or other places of worship;
  4. Libraries, museums, art galleries, recreational facilities, bingo halls, community centres and halls, cinemas, theatres, concert venues, special event venues, convention centers, or other similar entertainment, cultural, or leisure facilities;
  5. Sports facilities, sports clubs, gyms, yoga studios, dance studios, and stadiums;
  6. Common areas of hotels, motels, or short-term rental premises such as lobbies, elevators, meeting rooms, rest rooms, laundry rooms, gyms, and kitchens;
  7. Public and private transportation including municipal buses, taxis, and rideshare services;
  8. Common areas of premises under the control of a regulated health professional under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 18, as amended, such as waiting rooms;
  9. Common areas of hospitals and independent health facilities such as lobbies, food courts and retail establishments;
  10. Spas, hair salons, barbers, nail salons, and other personal service settings that are subject to health and safety protocols provided by the Province of Ontario during the provincial emergency;
  11. Municipal public spaces.

Please note that if your sector is listed above, but has not yet been given permission to reopen under the Provincial Reopening Framework for Stages 1, 2, or 3, you must continue to wait to reopen until the Province further eases restrictions for your sector. Additional health and safety guidance that relates to reopening is still in place, and the use of masks does not replace other guidance such as limiting the number of people in a store at one time, limits on group sizes, hand-washing and hand-hygiene practices, and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. The mask mandate is an additional measure that will be required until further notice for all enclosed public spaces that are open to the public.

Additionally, if you are visiting a Retirement Home or Long Term Care Home, there is specific provincial guidance on visitor protocols. Please review the guidance by clicking here, and if you have questions or concerns, please contact our local Health Unit at 613-345-5685.

Read the press release from the Health Unit for additional information about this new mandate as well as their detailed FAQs on cloth face coverings and exclusions.

Local Resources to Assist with your Business Reopening

Health Unit - COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for Businesses & Dedicated COVID-19 Business page + COVID-19 Prevention Checklist for Stores

Ministry of Health: COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Businesses and Organizations) - New

Employee COVID-19 Screening Procedures

Ministry of Health COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Businesses and Organizations) - September 25

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Coronavirus Tip Sheets

Detailed List of Stage 1 Openings

Detailed List of Stage 2 Openings 

Detailed List of Stage 3 Openings

O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 (under Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020

Ontario - Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace

Provincial Template: Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services Post-Pandemic Business Playbook

Download posters and advisories

Find Suppliers and PPE

Suppliers

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • Local Suppliers:
    • Hansler Smith Limited (masks, gloves, face shields, disinfectants, signs and floor decals, soap, dispensers, towels, cleaning supplies)
    • Sands (gloves, masks, disinfectants, spray bottles, wipes, wall mounted dispensers, hand sanitizer)
    • Levac Supply (masks, gloves, cleaning supplies, acrylic sheeting)
    • North Channel Supply (masks)
    • Pathcare Medical Inc 613-246-8060 (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, hands-free dispensers, infrared thermometers) in stock locally and available now. Click the link to see photos and pricing.
    • Canarm (masks) email to order sharrington@canarm.ca (minimum order: 50 masks)
    • Ignite Printing - customizable fabric masks and face coverings (add your logo or other design details - able to accommodate small minimum orders)
  • Non-local Suppliers:

Cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, soap and dispensers:

  • Local Suppliers:
    • Sands (gloves, masks, disinfectants, spray bottles, wipes, wall mounted dispensers, hand sanitizer)
    • Hansler Smith Limited (masks, gloves, face shields, disinfectants, signs and floor decals, soap, dispensers, towels, cleaning supplies)
    • Fastenal (wipes, towels, rags, cleaning supplies, cleaning products, dispensers and stands)
    • Levac Supply (masks, gloves, cleaning supplies, acrylic sheeting)
    • Top Office (cleaning supplies)
    • Kings Lock Craft Distillery (hand sanitizer: call 613-704-2529)
    • BUSL (hand sanitizer)
    • Pathcare Medical Inc 613-246-8060 (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, hands-free dispensers, infrared thermometers) in stock locally and available now. Will deliver within Brockville and area. Click the link to see photos and pricing.
  • Non-local Suppliers:

Protective Barriers:

Signage, floor decals, and stickers (local):

If you are a local business with items in stock beneficial to reopenings, please contact us with a few details on what you have in stock in order to be listed above.

Find more local suppliers on the list developed by the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville

Access the Province’s list of PPE Suppliers

Rapid Response Platform to access critical products

Guidance for All Workplaces

  
Physical Distancing:

  • Practice physical distancing (staying 2 metres away from others) and allow anyone who can to work from home.
  • Limit the number of people working in one space so that they can distance themselves from each other, and stagger start times and break times.
  • Reposition workstations to increase physical distances.
  • Install barriers and partitions.
  • Reschedule unnecessary visits to the workplace.
  • Schedule appointments and pick up times to limit the number of people in one place at the same time. Schedule a time buffer between appointments to limit potential contact.
  • Reduce the number of people in your premises and monitor the number of people on site.

Hand Hygiene:

  • Practice and encourage proper hand hygiene (regular hand washing and sanitizing)
  • Have all employees and visitors wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, or an approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, before entering the workplace, after contact with others, or with surfaces others have touched. Be sure to keep an adequate supply of soap, paper towels, etc. on hand and ensure regular handwashing is occurring, especially before breaks and at shift changes. Provide staff with hand sanitizer for their use when receiving deliveries, interacting with the public, etc.
  • Train staff and the public on proper hand hygiene techniques and display posters near hand washing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers: How to Wash Your Hands & How to Use Hand Sanitizer - (posters)
  • Cough or sneeze into your sleeve and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Cleaning & Disinfecting:

  • Keep surfaces and objects clean. Cleaning is the act of removing dirt and grime from surfaces, and may remove some germs and viruses, while disinfecting is the act of killing germs and viruses. Surfaces cannot be effectively disinfected if they are dirty.
  • Have proper training for all employees on handling cleaners and disinfectants safely and have applicable Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available and bottles/containers properly labeled. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions when mixing cleaners or disinfectants.
  • Train everyone on how to keep their work surfaces, devices, screens and equipment clean.
  • Sanitize the workplace thoroughly and often. Increase frequency of cleaning surfaces and common areas, such as door handles, entryways, light switches, elevators, buttons, PIN pads, washrooms, and kitchens. Commonly touched areas should be cleaned at least once every 2 hours. (A local business provided the tip to use 'press and seal' on PIN pads which can be more easily cleaned and/or replaced without damaging the buttons)
  • Remove loose items such as condiments, stir sticks, pens, straws, pamphlets, brochures, and other items that may be touched by multiple people.
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting for Public Settings: Public Health Ontario Fact Sheet on Cleaning & Disinfecting
  • Health Canada: List of disinfectants and hand sanitizers for use against COVID-19: Click here for the list of disinfectants & click here for the list of authorized hand sanitizers (updated daily, Monday to Friday)

Screening & Communication:

  • Prevent contact with potentially infected people.
  • Learn the symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
  • Screen workers regularly for health issues and ensure that you or your coworkers stay home if you or they have symptoms or are in close contact with someone who has symptoms.
  • Formalize your screening process and have all staff complete a screening checklist before entering the work site. Advise staff to stay home when sick and to visit the local assessment centre at the Brockville Memorial Centre. Stay home until the test results are known, and if the test for COVID-19 is positive, to follow public health advice and self-isolate for 14 days and symptoms have been resolved.
  • Post signs for the public on the door advising them to stay home if they are sick or have any of the COVID-19 symptoms. Where possible, offer delivery or another modified service to those who are sick to encourage them to remain home.
  • Utilize the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces for any workers or essential visitors entering the work environment. 

Preparing the Workplace:

  • Employers should consult with Joint Health and Safety Committees/Health and Safety Representatives in the workplace on measures to protect workers in the workplace.
  • Look at ways that you might minimize risks of contact with customers, employees, and surfaces
  • Increase the air flow and supply of fresh air in your workplace.
  • Train everyone on possible COVID-19 transmission points in the workplace, what steps are being taken to protect them, and how they can protect themselves, including frequent hand washing or sanitizing, and not touching their face.
  • Reposition workstations to increase physical distances.
  • Install barriers and partitions.
  • Look at traffic flow in your workspace for staff and the public. Utilize arrows to direct traffic in one direction. Where possible, designate a separate entrance and exit to limit congestion.
  • Reschedule unnecessary visits to the workplace.
  • Keep up to date on best practices. Consider regular times to check in with public health updates and retrain/revise practices as needed.
  • Ensure adequate supply of soap, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and hand sanitizers.

Employers and Management

  
Download the complete WSPS fact sheet

  • Can you minimize or eliminate tasks that put you and others in danger? Can you adjust your workspace and tasks to limit the number of people that need to be in the same area at the same time?
  • Can meetings with customers take place remotely over the computer or phone?
  • Can payment transactions be made by etransfer, online, or phone? Cashless or tap payment are recommended if advance payment is not possible.
  • Restrict the number of people in your building and limit the number of building entry and exit points if possible. If one entrance/exit area will cause congestion, consider having one door designated as entrance only, and one as exit only to help with traffic flow and physical distancing.
  • Limit the number of people in a given area at any one time (for retail the province is restricting the number of customers per square meter to one customer per 4 square metres (43 square feet) to ensure physical distancing of 2 metres can be achieved at all times). Change the work layout, set floor markings to ensure physical distancing is being practiced. Use appointments and scheduled pickups to limit the number of people in one place.
  • Put barriers in place between yourself and those you must interact with if possible.
  • Improve fresh air intake/circulation by opening windows as much as possible.
  • Increase the frequency of cleaning commonly touched surfaces (screens, keyboards, PIN pads, cash drawers, door handles, countertops, light switches etc.). Be sure to follow safe practices and use appropriate cleaning agents.
  • Use good hand washing techniques and avoid touching your face. When that is not possible, a good hand sanitizer should be used frequently and between personal interactions if possible.
  • Maintain curbside and delivery services as part of your normal business.

What should I do as an employer to ensure my employees are protected?

Click here to read the key questions you should be asking yourself as an employer to identify the steps that you need to take to make sure your employees feel comfortable returning to work. Your employees have the right to a safe work environment and can refuse to work in unsafe work conditions. It is your responsibility to put the measures in place that will limit possible transmission of the virus and make your workplace as safe as possible.

Sector Guidance

Below we have compiled some of the guidelines surrounding retail and office establishments and the considerations that should be made as you prepare to return to work. This document does not go into detail on all the sectors that are covered in the provincial guidelines but looks at key considerations for the business types that will be required to make the most number of changes to how they regularly operate, and that will require some time to get their workplaces prepared to open with new health and safety measures. For all 100+ sector-specific guidelines and other resources from the Province of Ontario, please visit Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace. 

Additionally, the federal government has published the following sector-specific tip sheets:

Agriculture, Daycares, Transportation, Construction, Food Processing, & Restaurants and Food Service.

 

Retail Establishments

 

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety – Retail Guidelines

WSPS Guidance on Health and Safety for Curbside Pickup and Delivery Services during COVID-19

Province of Ontario: Detailed List of Stage 1 Openings

Province of Ontario: Stage 2 Openings

Province of Ontario: Stage 3 Openings

Under Stage 2, as of June 12, 2020, in addition to retail operating online, or with curbside pickup and delivery, all retail can open under the following restrictions and guidelines:

  • Shopping Malls & Centres may open, following the same guidance as those set out for other retail services. dine-in at indoor food courts is prohibited. Malls may need to institute additional controls (see pg. 13 of the Stage 2 Framework)
  • Open in-store by appointment and/or by limiting the number of people in the store at any one time. Retailers would need to restrict the number of customers per square metre — for example, one customer per 4 square metres (43 square feet) — to ensure physical distancing of 2 metres at all times.
  • Only fitting rooms with doors would be used, not curtains, to facilitate disinfecting. Retailers would restrict use to every second fitting room at any one time to allow for cleaning after use and ensure physical distancing. This restriction continues to be in effect as the province enters Stage 3.
  • For further guidance on this sector, please refer to resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace. and the retail sector guidance.

Curbside Pick up

  • Utilize touchless payment options or pay in advance online or by etransfer
  • Establish a process that minimizes the time required to complete a curbside transaction and offers as few opportunities as possible to put your employee in contact with the customer or their vehicle (i.e. Have the customer open their truck upon arrival and remain in the vehicle, have them call the store to let staff know they have arrived, staff bring the product out to the vehicle and returns to the store, the customer gets out and shuts their trunk and drives away)
  • Establish clear visuals to show where the designated pickup area is located and the boundaries of the pickup area. Customers should be prohibited from exiting their vehicle while they are in the designated pickup area. Post the phone number so it is clearly visible to the customer from their vehicle to inform you that they have arrived and are ready to pick up their order.
  • Where possible, maintain control of loading product into the vehicle. Ask the customer to remaining the vehicle and remotely open the door to limit contact with surfaces. This will aid in maintaining physical distancing and avoid unnecessary person to person interactions
  • After completing the curbside transaction, ensure employees sanitize their hands and surfaces.
  • Do not permit customers to use their own containers, reusable bags, or boxes.
  • Provide delivery, curbside, and other customer-facing staff with hand sanitizer for their use only when receiving deliveries, interacting with the public etc.
  • Screen workers regularly for health issues. If anyone develops symptoms of COVID-19, implement procedures for reporting the illness and for keeping the worker away from others.

Delivery:

  • Establish a procedure for delivery to customer homes that eliminates in-person interactions (ex. Drop off their package at their door and notify the customer via phone call or text message). 
  • Ensure physical distancing guidelines are met for delivery workers. If two workers are required to complete a delivery and they cannot maintain physical distancing while travelling in the same vehicle, consider the use of a second vehicle or consider installing a transparent physical barrier
  • Increase cleaning frequency on commonly touched surfaces. 
  • Have all employees wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, before entering the workplace, after contact with others, or with surfaces others may have touched. 
  • Provide delivery, curbside, and other customer-facing staff with hand sanitizer for their use only when receiving deliveries, interacting with the public etc. 
  • After completing the curbside transaction, ensure employees sanitize their hands and surfaces. 
  • Screen workers regularly for health issues. If anyone develops symptoms of COVID-19, implement procedures for reporting the illness and for keeping the worker away from others.

Cashier Controls

Click here for the full WSPS Cashier Guidance document

  • Can tasks be minimized or eliminated? Can payments be cashless or contactless (tap or online)?
  • Put barriers in place between yourself and those you must interact with if possible (sneeze guard or open/close window).
  • Improve air flow and fresh air if possible.
  • Control the number of people in the workspace to allow for greater physical distancing, and limit the number of people you need to interact with, if possible. Utilize floor markings and signage to show distance markers and control the flow of people. If possible, limit the number of people admitted to only a few at a time.
  • Put distance between workers where possible. Stagger worker or spread out cashier stations.
  • Increase cleaning frequency and disinfect surfaces often, especially on commonly touched surfaces. Be sure to follow safe practices on cleaning times and cleaning agents.
  • Keep up with good hand washing and avoid touching your face. Extra handwashing and washing your hands when you arrive to work and before breaks should be practiced. When extra handwashing is not possible, a good hand sanitizer should be used frequently. Consider disinfecting after each customer interaction. 
  • If possible, have the customer bag items themselves. Do not allow the customer to place their own bags or boxes on your countertop or surfaces.

Additional Recommendations for Store Operations (from the Province of Saskatchewan)

  • Enhance the store’s sanitation plan and schedule.
  • Provide clean carry-out bags for purchased goods. Customers should be encouraged not to use their own containers, reusable bags or boxes.
  • Post signs indicating that no customer packaging is to be used or placed on checkout counters.
  • Customers should be encouraged to minimize touching merchandise. Post signs requesting them to only touch items they intend to buy.
  • Discourage the use of change rooms. If they are being used, ensure that surfaces are cleaned and disinfected between each use. Only allow 50% occupancy to space out customers.
  • Discourage the exchange or return of goods. If goods have to be returned, ensure returns are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Where possible, wipe down merchandise with disinfectant. Returned goods should be isolated in a separate bin (Labeled with return date) for at least 72 hours before being returned to store shelves. Employees must wash their hands after handling.
  • Where items are kept behind counters and provided to customers to try on and handle, such as jewelry and electronics, customers should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) prior to handling the items. They should also avoid placing the items on or near their faces.
  • Place an alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) in dispensers or soap and water hand washing stations near doors, pay stations, change rooms and other high-touch locations for customers and staff. Make wipes and trash bins available for wiping down shopping carts and disposing of the wipes.
  • Promote physical distancing of customers:
    • Use physical line controls at entrances and checkout lines. Place markers (e.g. tape or cones) every two metres as visible cues to support physical distancing.
    • Make announcements at regular intervals reminding customers to stay 2 metres (6') apart.
    • Post clear signs in multiple locations that indicate the maximum number of customers and staff allowed in the store at one time.
    • Consider monitoring the number of customers and staff entering and exiting the store. Once the maximum number of persons is reached, allow one person to enter for every one person who leaves.
  • Offer and encourage online or telephone orders with delivery or pick-up services as alternatives to in-person shopping.
  • Ask customers who arrive with COVID-19-like symptoms to return home and use a delivery service instead.
  • All workers should self-monitor for symptoms and use the self-assessment tool if they develop symptoms.

Office Settings

 

Click here for the WSPS Guidance Document

Click here for the Public Services Health & Safety Association Guidance Document

  • Wash your hands regularly following best practices and avoid touching your face. When handwashing is not possible, a good hand sanitizer should be used frequently and kept nearby.
  • Integrate physical distancing in all activities.
  • Are there tasks you can minimize or eliminate? Can the work you do be done alone or done from home?
  • Stagger breaks and lunches.
  • Consider job task rotation if it will assist in ensuring physical distancing guidelines are met and reduce the number of people needed in one area.
  • Put measures in place to control how many people you interact with to ensure distance between clients and workers. Consider controlling entry points to designated work areas an, limiting the number of people in an area, and using floor markers to keep people spaced 2m apart.
  • If possible, put barriers in place between yourself and people you have to interact with (ex. Sneeze guard or open/close window).
  • Improve airflow and fresh air intake where possible. Open windows where available and where possible.
  • Increase cleaning frequency, especially on shared office items and frequently touched surfaces. Be sure to follow safe practices and use an appropriate cleaning agent.

Personal Care Services

Under the Stage 2 Reopening Framework, establishments that provide personal care services can open with the proper health and safety protocols in place including: Hair services (barber shops, hair salons, hairdressers/stylists, colour consulting services, scalp treatment services, hair weaving services, hair replacement services); Beauty salons, shops and parlours (beauticians, estheticians, cosmetology shops/salons, manicure/pedicure salons); Hair removal services; Diet centres (non-medical), diet workshops, weight control clinics, weight-reduction centres (non-medical); Piercing services; Day spas; Tanning salons; Tattoo studios.

In addition to the services permitted in Stage 2, in Stage 3 (starting July 17), all services that tend to a customer’s face are permitted (e.g., facials, ear piercing, eyebrow grooming and eyelash extensions).

Oxygen bars, bath houses, steam rooms and saunas are not yet permitted to open; baths, hot tubs, floating pools and sensory deprivation pods are closed except for therapeutic purposes prescribed by or administered by a regulated health professional.

Businesses in the Personal Services Sector should review the Best Practices along with the Retail sector guidance found above in addition to their own sector guidance.

Click here for the WSPS Guidance Sheet for Personal Services Settings

  • Screen customers and staff regularly for health issues. If anyone develops symptoms of COVID-19, implement procedures for reporting the illness and keeping the worker away from others. Ensure that illness reporting requirements are well communicated in the workplace through training and signage.
  • Communicate that it is not permitted for anyone to enter the business if individuals have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Personal care service providers should ensure that:
    • Patrons wear face coverings at all times, except while receiving services on an area of their face that would otherwise be covered by a face covering;
    • Workers must wear face coverings and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves
  • Personal care services must take measures to enable physical distancing between patrons, such as limiting the number of people who may be in the business at any one time
  • Businesses should consider operating by appointment only and/or recording each patron’s name and contact information for the purpose of contact tracing
  • The following measures should also be considered to keep customers safe:
    • Screening of customers and staff for symptoms and risk factors
    • Requiring all customers to book an appointment and prohibiting walk-in customers
    • Increasing cleaning and disinfecting or sterilizing instruments, including scissors, hair clippers, nail files, and other equipment between clients
    • Assigning each worker a unique set of tools for their own use if possible, and if not possible, limiting the number of people sharing equipment or tools
    • Getting tested if workers are worried that they may have been exposed, or have been exposed, to COVID-19
  • Update the business’ voicemail, email, social media, website and other external communications, and create a visible sign for your door to inform customers of changes to the business operations. To assist you with this task, we have created a template at the top of this page that you can print off and post at your entranceway.
  • Employers need to train workers on possible COVID-19 transmission points in the workplace, what steps are being taken to protect them, and how they can protect themselves, including frequent hand washing (especially before and after each client), sanitizing items and surfaces more frequently, following tool disinfection procedures, and not touching their face.
  • Install physical distancing markers throughout the reception area and other areas depending on the size of the facility, including the entrance area outside the premises if appropriate, to ensure customers maintain a physical distance of 2 metres. 
  • Limit the number of workers working in one space as well as the number of customers so that everyone can distance themselves from each other by:
    • Staggering shifts and break times and scheduling more time for cleaning in between customers;
    • Practicing physical distancing during breaks;
    • Where possible, have workstations or chairs positioned to maintain the physical distance requirements.
  • Increase hand washing frequency and ensure that all hand washing facilities are available and in good working order. Encourage workers and visitors to wash their hands before entering the workplace, after contact with others, or with surfaces others have touched.
  • In addition to the cleaning and disinfecting guidance for all businesses and retail businesses, personal services should pay particular attention to other areas, including:
    • Maintain clean workstations, debit machines, cash registers, counters, and equipment;
    • Provide hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes for clients to use upon entry. Consider having them available near the entryway, waiting areas, at reception and other high-traffic areas;
    • Provide a safe place for individuals to dispose of used sanitizing wipes and personal protective equipment. Empty and clean waste containers on a regular basis;
    • Surfaces that come in contact with customers must be disinfected prior to and after each customer service performed;
    • Pay particular attention to frequently touched surfaces and common areas, such as entrances, counters, and washrooms;
    • Clean and disinfect/sterilize instruments such as scissors, hair clippers, nail files, and other equipment between clients. Visit the Public Health Ontario website for additional cleaning and disinfection protocols for the personal service sector;
    • Limit the number of people sharing equipment or tools. Assign each worker a unique set of tools for their use only if possible, and if not ensure proper cleaning and disinfecting before sharing;
    • Protective coverings should be discarded (disposable) or changed (washable) between clients - care should be taken to avoid contamination of surfaces when removing/changing used protective coverings;
    • For any soiled towels, sheets, uniforms, laundry etc., minimize shaking and disturbance - if possible, arrange to ensure the laundering of items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Clean and disinfect hampers or other carts for transporting laundry and sanitation equipment.
  • Customer controls:
    • Consider restricting walk-ins and only taking customers by appointment (phone or online booking). This also gives you an opportunity to communicate your procedural changes in advance of their arrival. Schedule time between customers for cleaning and disinfecting workstations and any surfaces the customer may have touched.
    • Consider limiting customer capacity if unable to maintain physical distancing.
    • Eliminate restrictions and penalties on cancellations to encourage clients to reschedule if they are feeling unwell.
    • Consider minimizing or eliminating exposures by having customers pre-pay by electronic options, if this isn’t possible, clean and disinfect payment devices between customers.
    • Waiting areas inside your business should be closed and not available to the public. Consider signage at the door to inform the public, and inform your customers of this during booking.
    • Frequently touched items such as books, service menus, pens and other items should be removed from waiting areas and reception desks.
    • Customers should be given direction to refrain from contacting any surfaces un-necessarily during their treatment.
    • For retail sales, do not provide testers or product samples. Encourage clients not to touch items on shelves by having workers monitor product sales areas and by utilizing signage.

Restaurant and Food Services

 

Visit the Ontario provincial guidance for the restaurant and food services sector
Download the Checklist for Food Premises Operating Patios from our local Health Unit

September 26 Update: To ensure the continued health and safety of Ontarians, reduce the risk of transmission, and limit future outbreaks of COVID-19, the amended order will apply province-wide effective 12:01 am on Saturday, September 26 and will:

  • Apply additional measures and restrictions to restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (including nightclubs) by prohibiting the sale of alcohol after 11:00 pm;
  • Prohibit the consumption of alcohol on premises after 12:00 am until 9:00am (including employees);
  • Requiring establishments to close by 12:00 am and remain closed until 5:00 am, except for takeout or delivery;
  • Close all strip clubs across the province; and
  • Require businesses or organizations to comply with any advice, recommendations, and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening for COVID-19.

Starting on July 17, Restaurants, bars, concession stands, and other food and drink establishments may open for indoor dine-in.

Nightclubs are not yet safe to open, except for the purpose of serving food or drinks to patrons in accordance with the conditions that apply to restaurants and bars.

Physical distancing of two metres between patrons from different households or social circles also continues to apply to food trucks, food courts, concession stands and tours, including tastings at wineries, breweries, and distilleries.

As of July 7, our local health unit has mandated the use of face coverings/masks in all enclosed public spaces. This includes restaurants when the customer has to go inside to pay or access washroom facilities. 

  • All patrons must be seated at all times in any area of the establishment in which food or drink is permitted except:
    • while entering the area and while moving to their table
    • while placing or picking up an order
    • while paying for an order
    • while exiting the area
    • while going to or returning from a washroom
    • while lining up to do anything described above
    • where necessary for the purposes of health and safety.
  • Establishments must take appropriate measures to ensure physical distancing of at least 2 metres between patrons from different households, including:
    • Using reservations
    • Limiting the number of patrons allowed in the outdoor space at one time
    • Ensuring enough space between tables, including to allow for movement
    • Physical barriers are provided where tables cannot be adequately separated
  • The establishment must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by:
    • a distance of at least 2 metres, or
    • plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier
  • The person responsible for the establishment must:
    • record the name and contact information of one person per table for every group/person who enters an indoor or outdoor dining area in the establishment, other than patrons who temporarily enter the area to place, pick up, or pay for a takeout order,
    • maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and
    • 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 or that Act or as otherwise required by law.
  • Buffet-style service is not yet permitted.
  • Singing or music may be performed by a person of group at the restaurant or bar, with restrictions, including barriers between the performers and patrons, and physical distancing. Dancing may only be performed by someone working at (or hired by) the establishment, with restrictions.
  • Karaoke is permitted only outside of private karaoke rooms, which are not yet permitted to open in Stage 3, with restrictions including: barriers, physical distancing and increased cleaning and disinfecting.
  • Access to indoor facilities is limited to patio/outdoor dining area access, food pickup, payment, washrooms, or other health and safety purposes
  • Temporary extensions on the physical sizes of licensed patios is permitted under certain criteria
  • Keep customers safe by:
    • Practicing physical distancing
    • Increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces
    • Wear PPE at all times, at minimum an appropriate face covering
    • Wash your hands frequently and practice good hygiene
    • Get tested if you are worried you have been exposed to COVID-19
  • Protect yourself and your co-workers:
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
    • Sanitize often, between each transaction if possible
    • Wash or sanitize hands after making or receiving deliveries
    • Sneeze/cough into your sleeve
    • Avoid high-touch areas, where possible, or ensure you clean your hands afterwards
    • Where possible, wear gloves when interacting with high-touch areas. Do not touch your face with a gloved hand. Take care when removing gloves and ensure you wash your hands after removing them
    • Wash your clothes as soon as you get home
    • Stay home if you are sick, and notify your supervisor immediately if you begin to feel ill at work
  • Maintain physical distancing in the workplace (2 metres):
    • Minimize contact with customers
    • Maintain a safe distance while handling goods and taking payment, minimize or eliminate handling of cash and eliminate at-the-door payment methods
    • Assign staff to ensure customers are maintaining safe physical distances in congested areas like entrances/exits and check-outs
    • Add floor markings and barriers to manage traffic flow and physical distancing.
    • Install barriers between cashiers and customers (with plexiglass or floor markings to keep a minimum 2m distance)
    • Restrict the number of people on-site and where they are assigned to work
    • Control site movement
    • Limit the number of people working in one space at the same time, and limit the potential or workers to gather
    • Minimize the number of people using each piece of equipment, or assign equipment to one worker if possible
  • Workplace sanitation (the obligation to maintain a clean worksite is under sharper focus due to COVID-19):
    • Provide ways to properly clean hands, by providing access to soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
    • Provide customer-facing staff with hand sanitized for their use only
    • Increase frequency of handwashing such as upon entering the workplace, after contact with surfaces, before breaks and at shift changes
    • Provide a safe place for customers to dispose of used sanitizing wipes and PPE
    • Clean washroom facilities
    • Sanitize commonly-touched surfaces or areas such as entrances, counters, washrooms and kitchens. Sanitize shared equipment.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment


If the above recommendations are still not enough for your workplace, consider Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE is only effective if worn correctly. Read the Considerations for PPE. Ensure PPE training include the fit, use, care, putting on and taking off, maintenance, cleaning, storing and limitations of the PPE.

Provide a safe place for employees to remove and dispose of disposable PPE in designated waste receptacles. Have a hand washing station or hand sanitizer available at that site. If you require customers to wear PPE in your store, ensure waste receptacles are present in the parking lot or outside of your storefront for safe disposal.

As of July 7, 2020, all businesses and organizations that are open to the public are required to adopt a policy that mandates the use of face coverings/masks in all enclosed public spaces/settings. Please click here to review the Instructions on this order from the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

Some example of PPE that may be suited include:

  • Gloves – The use of disposable gloves can help limit contact with surfaces, product etc. Be sure you have practices set up for suitable disposal and when gloves should be changed such as torn and or dirty. It’s also important, again, to ensure you consider other hazards that may be present in the workplace before introducing gloves – in some cases, gloves can be an ‘entanglement’ hazard and should not be worn. Steps to take off gloves
  • Goggles or face shields – can help with barriers and separation too. They should be assigned to people and not shared and can be used regularly if kept clean. Ensure the goggle or face shield use does not result in workers touching their faces more often because of heat or discomfort.
  • Masks: non-medical masks and face coverings may be appropriate for your workplace if physical distancing can not be achieved or maintained, or as an added precaution for customers entering your place of work to protect those around them.

Additional Resources

Find more templates, resources, and examples.

What is open so far?

   
Current allowable businesses include everything on the "essential workplaces list", and businesses that have been allowed to reopen slowly as the province moved into Stage 1 and subsequently, Stages 2 & 3, of the Framework. 

A Framework for Reopening the Province of Ontario and Sector-Specific Guidance

cover of the Framework for Reopening our Province document

The Provincial Government released the Framework for Reopening the Province on April 27, 2020. The plan shows the anticipated stages to begin to reopen the economy as conditions of the pandemic improve. Officials will use recommendations from the health minister on when to reopen certain segments, and will require that the presence of new confirmed cases of coronavirus show a significant reduction over a sustained period of time.

In partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, the health and safety associations have released a series of more than 180 technical sector guidance documents to further support employers and employees in remaining safe in the workplace during the COVID-19 outbreak. They have also produced a general "return to business check list" that is applicable to most businesses, indicating the areas that should be considered before reopening. 

Stage 1 of the framework began on May 19, 2020. Please click here for a detailed list of stage 1 openings.

Stage 2 in our region began on June 12, 2020. Please review the detailed list of what will be newly allowed to open (with restrictions) for Stage 2 starting on that date. Staying home, physical distancing practices, use of masks when physical distancing cannot be maintained, frequent hand washing, increased cleaning and disinfecting, and other safety precautions will still be expected to continue during this phase.

Stage 3 in our region began on July 17, 2020. Please read the detailed Stage 3 Framework for more information on new gathering sizes and remaining restrictions on reopenings.

Stage 3 Openings - Starting Friday, July 17

Nearly All Businesses and Public Spaces to Reopen in Stage 3 (starting July 17, 2020 at 12:01 am) with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place. Stage 3 will take a regional approach to opening most businesses, services, and all public spaces, with health and safety measures in place, and continuing to emphasize personal responsibility. 

As of Tuesday, July 7, 2020 face masks/coverings are required to be worn in all in all enclosed public spaces as mandated by our local health unit. This order will be in effect until further notice.

As part of the Stage 3 reopening, Ontario will be increasing gathering limits for those regions entering the next stage (which includes Leeds, Grenville and Lanark) to the following:

  • Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people;
  • Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people;
  • Gathering limits are subject to physical distancing requirements.
  • Public gathering limits apply to indoor and outdoor events, such as community events or gatherings, concerts, live shows, festivals, conferences, sports and recreational fitness activities, fundraisers, fairs, festivals or open houses. A two metre distance must still be maintained at such events.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health, public health experts and other officials have advised the following, high-risk places and activities are not yet safe to open, even if a region has entered Stage 3, due to the likelihood of large crowds congregating, difficulties with physical distancing, or challenges maintaining the proper cleaning and sanitation required to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Amusement parks and water parks;
  • Buffet-style food services;
  • Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements;
  • Overnight stays at camps for children;
  • Private karaoke rooms;
  • Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports;
  • Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars;
  • Table games at casinos and gaming establishments.

All other businesses and public spaces will be permitted to be open, subject to ensuring the appropriate health and safety measures are in place, as well as limits on gathering sizes (see below).

Stage 3 Gathering Limits:

  • Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people (September 19: unsupervised, private gatherings have been reduced to an indoor limit of 10)
  • Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people (September 19: unsupervised, private gatherings have been reduced to an outdoor limit of 25)
  • Social circles continue to be kept at 10 people province-wide.(October update: social circles are no longer recommended)
  • In all cases, individuals are required to continue to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres with people from outside their household.
  • All businesses, services, and public spaces when hosting an event, are subject to indoor or outdoor gathering limits and ensuring physical distancing can be maintained.

Gathering limits apply to higher risk settings and activities where people congregate, including: 

  • All organized or spontaneous indoor and outdoor events and social gatherings (e.g., parties, fundraisers, fairs, wedding receptions, funeral receptions)
  • Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
  • Concerts and live shows, including performing arts
  • Convention centres and other meeting or event spaces
  • Facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g., gyms, fitness studios) 
  • Festivals
  • Recreational attractions, courses and instruction (e.g., fitness classes, music lessons, tutoring)
  • Movie theatres
  • Real estate open houses
  • Sporting and racing events
  • Tour and guide services (including boat tours) 

Indoor gathering limits apply to events that are fully or partially indoors. Indoor events and gatherings cannot be combined with an outdoor event or gathering to increase the applicable gathering size. 

Additional Restrictions:

  • Convention Centres, Meeting and Event Spaces
  • Facilities for Sports and Recreational Fitness Activities (gyms, fitness studios, community centres):
    • Physical distancing must be maintained, except if playing a team sport or as needed for personal training.
    • The total number of people permitted in areas containing weights or exercise machines is limited to the number of people that can maintain physical distancing of at least two metres, which cannot exceed the indoor gathering limit of 50 people.
    • The total number of people permitted in classes or organized activities at any one time is limited to the number of people that can maintain physical distancing of at least two metres, and cannot exceed the indoor gathering limit of 50 people or the outdoor limit of 100
    • Assigned spaces are strongly recommended for organized fitness classes (use of floor markings is recommended)
    • Equipment must be cleaned and disinfected between users sets or at the end of a game.
    • Any washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms, showers or similar amenities made available to the public must be cleaned and disinfected frequently.
    • Steam rooms and saunas are not yet permitted to open.
  • Interactive Exhibits at Museums, Attractions, and Heritage Institutions
    • In addition to the exhibits opened in Stage 2, high-contact surfaces such as interactive exhibits and displays may open. They must be cleaned and disinfected frequently.
    • All special events, instructional classes and performances at these locations are subject to gathering limits and physical distancing measures.
  • Libraries:
    • In addition to the services resumes in Stage 2, libraries may reopen for all on-site services, as long as materials that are circulated, returned, or accessed within the library are disinfected or quarantined before being recirculated. Please check the Brockville Public Library's website for more information on their modified services.
  • Live Shows, Performing Arts and Movie Theatres:
    • Audiences are subject to the number of people that can maintain physical distancing of at least two metres and cannot exceed gathering limites of 50 indoors and 100 outdoors. This applies to the entire facility, regardless of the number of theatres or performance stages within the facility.
    • Additional restrictions apply. Read the Stage 3 Framework document for details. 
  • Personal Care Services:
    • In addition to the services permitted in Stage 2, all services that tend to a customer's face face are permitted (e.g., facials, ear piercing, eyebrow grooming, and eyelash extensions).
    • Patrons must wear face coverings except while receiving services for an area of their face that would otherwise be covered by a face covering.
    • Oxygen bars, bath houses, steam rooms, and saunas are not yet permitted to open.
  • Recreational Courses and Instruction (music lessons, language classes, tutoring, art classes etc.)
    • All gathering limits apply
    • Physical distancing must be in place for participants, other than when necessary for instruction. Face coverings are recommended in those situations.
    • Equipment must be cleaned and disinfected frequently
    • Plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier and physical distancing are required for any instruction that involved singing or playing wind or brass instruments.
  • Indoor Recreational Attractions and Businesses (e.g., arcade rooms, escape rooms, bowling alleys, pool halls):
    • Physical distancing of at least two metres must be in place
    • Equipment must be cleaned and disinfected frequently.
    • Private karaoke rooms cannot yet open.
  • Restaurants, Bars, and Nightclubs:
    • All restaurants, bars, concession stands, and other food and drink establishments may open for indoor dine-in. Nightclubs are not yet safe to open, except for the purpose of serving food or drinks to patrons in accordance with the conditions that apply to restaurants and bars.
    • All patrons must be seated when eating or drinking at the establishment
    • Establishments must take appropriate measures to ensure physical distancing of at least two metres between patrons from different tables, unless separated by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
    • Buffet-style service is not yet permitted.
    • Singing or music may be performed by a person or group at the restaurant or bar, with restrictions, including barriers between the performers and patrons and physical distancing.
    • click here for additional health and safety related to restaurants and food services.
  • Team Sports and Live Sporting Events:
    • Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports is not permitted.
    • Team sports in which body contact between players is either an integral component of the sport, or commonly occurs while engaged in the sport, are not yet permitted, unless the approach can be modified to prevent prolonged or deliberate physical contact
    • Amateur and recreational sports leagues may resume so long as they do not allow prolonged or deliberate physical contact between players or if they have modifications to avoid physical contact between players.
    • Leagues must contain no long than 50 participants total. If participants in a league exceed 50, the league may divide into smaller groups of no more than 50. Players are not yet permitted to play against players outside of their league or group.
    • Spectators at all sporting events, including professional sports, will be subject to gathering limits and physical distancing measures, with assigned seating where possible.
  • Tour and Guide Services:
    • For tour and guide services, including boat tours, the number of patrons is subject to gathering limits.
    • Physical distancing of at least two metres must be maintained between all individuals, except for those from the same household or social circle.
    • The outdoor gathering limit of 100 applies if patrons will be outside for the duration of the tour, except to access washrooms, in transit to an outdoor area, or for health and safety reasons.
    • As with other gatherings and events, the indoor gathering limit of 50 applies if the gathering is fully or partially indoors.

Please click here to review the full Stage 3 Framework

Businesses and sectors unable to open or facing significant difficulties in operating under Stage 3 restrictions are invited to visit Ontario.ca/reopen to work with the province on a reopening plan.

Stage 2 Openings - as of Friday, June 12

More sectors of the economy may open as early as Friday, June 12, 2020. Working remotely should continue as much as possible, as well as continuing to follow all public health notices and recommendations. Non-essential, in-person gatherings of any size continue to be strongly discouraged. As of Tuesday, July 7, 2020 face masks/coverings are required to be worn in all in all enclosed public spaces as mandated by our local health unit. This order will be in effect until further notice.

  • Public & Social Gatherings: social gathering limits expanded to up to 10 people. People must still practice physical distancing, by keeping at least 2 metres away from others outside of their direct household. 
  • Places of Worship: may open under new provincial guidance including limiting attendance to 30% of building capacity and members practicing physical distancing. 
  • Child care centres across the province will shift away from providing only emergency child care to enabling the gradual reopening of regular child care, with strict public health measures in place, including to limit operational capacity. Clear workplace safety guidance for child care and day camps (additionally click here for more guidance on operating summer day camps) is available to protect the health and safety of staff, children and their families. The Ontario government added on June 9th that summer day camps (but not overnight camps) are permitted this summer, with additional health and safety measures in place.
  • Personal Care services:
    • Hair services (including barber shops, hair salons, hairdressers/stylists, colour consulting services, hair weaving services, and hair replacement services)
    • Beauty salons, shops and parlours (including beauticians, estheticians, cosmetology shops or salons, manicure and pedicure salons)
    • Hair removal services
    • Diet centres (non-medical), diet workshops, weight control clinics, and weight-reduction centres (non-medical)
    • Piercing services
    • Day spas
    • Tanning salons
    • Tattoo studios
    • Restrictions include:
      • Prohibiting services that tend to a customer's face, such as facials, facial hair grooming, eyebrow grooming and makeup, as well as oxygen bars
      • Steam rooms, saunas, and bath houses must remain closed
      • Baths, hot tubs, floating pools and sensory deprivation pods are closed except for therapeutic purposes prescribed by or administered by a regulated health professional.
  • Personal services: house sitting, party planning and consulting services, personal organizer services, personal physical fitness training and sports trainers (outside of gyms only), personal shopping services, porter services, show services, check room services (coat check, suitcase storage), wedding chapels.
  • Restaurant patios: restaurants, bars, food trucks and other food and drink establishments (wineries, breweries, distilleries) can open for dining in outdoor areas only. Establishments must take appropriate measures to ensure physical distancing of at least 2m between patrons from different households as well as other workplace provincial guidance in place for restaurants.
    • Announced July 3: Province makes changes to allow outdoor dining areas to open if they have a roof, canopy, tent, awning or other covering. At least two full sides of the outdoor dining area must be open to the outdoors and must not be substantially blocked in any way. If the outdoor dining area has a retractable roof, the roof must be fully open and at least one full side must be open to the outdoors and not be substantially blocked in any way.
  • Shopping Malls & Centres: In addition to providing online, curbside pickup and delivery services, all shopping centres, malls and markets may open. Stores in these facilities must follow the same guidance as those set out for other retail services
  • Photography studios and services.
  • Film & TV production.
  • Tour & Guide Services: resource-based tours (ex. hunting, fishing, and similar excursions), tasting and tours of on-site retail stores at manufacturing sites (ex. wineries, breweries, and distilleries), trail riding, walking, and bike tours, motor vehicle and boat tours (sightseeing).
  • Outdoor splash pads and wading pools, with restrictions.
  • Outdoor-only, low-contact recreational facilities (ex. paintball, mini-golf, archery, go-carts)
  • Ontario Parks campgrounds and private campgrounds can open for all types of camping (campers must adhere to social gathering size restrictions and maintain 2m physical-distancing with people outside of their household)
  • Beach access at Ontario Parks.
  • Outdoor team sport training may resume, if physically distanced, for training only (no scrimmages or games).
  • Weddings, Funerals and Similar Gatherings while complying with limits for social gatherings of up to 10 people (indoor and outdoor venues).
  • Libraries can increase their on-site services such as computer access (patrons are not permitted to handle books or materials on shelves). Please visit the Brockville Public Library's website to find out more information on what services they currently offer, including curbside pickup of library materials.
  • Community Centres with limited or modified on-site programs and services.
  • Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, outdoor heritage institutions, and other establishments primarily engaged in preserving and exhibiting objects, sites, and natural wonders of historical, cultural, and educational value are permitted to reopen with restrictions.

Stage 1 Openings - Starting Monday, May 19

  • Retail services that are not in shopping malls and have separate street-front entrances with measures in place that can enable physical distancing, such as limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time and booking appointments beforehand or on the spot. 
  • Seasonal businesses and recreational activities for individual or single competitors, including training and sport competitions conducted by a recognized national or provincial sport organization. This includes indoor and outdoor non-team sport competitions that can be played while maintaining physical distancing and without spectators, such as tennis, track and field and horse racing.
  • Animal services, specifically pet care services, such as grooming and training, and regular veterinary appointments.
  • Indoor and outdoor household services that can follow public health guidelines, such as housekeepers, cooks, cleaning and maintenance.
  • Lifting essential workplace limits on construction.
  • Allowing certain health and medical services to resume, such as in-person counselling and scheduled surgeries based on the ability to meet pre-specified conditions as outlined in A Measured Approach to Planning for Surgeries and Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as resuming professional services such as shifting Children's Treatment Centres from virtual to in-person.
  • Vehicle dealerships and retailers.
  • Media operations that are office-based involving equipment that does not allow for remote working
  • Libraries may open for pick-up or delivery (The Brockville Public Library is currently offering curbside pick up, visit the library's website for details).
  • Individual recreational sports at outdoor recreational sports centres (must operate without clubhouse or change rooms and only with washrooms and emergency aid).
  • Veterinary Services can resume by appointment, and animal services such as pet grooming and dog walking may resume.
  • Professional services related to research and development.
  • Household services.
  • General maintenance and repair services.
  • Health Care Providers (Regulated Health Professionals or persons who operate a Group Practice of Regulated Health Professionals, as defined in section 77.7(6), paragraph 1 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act) - Directive #2 for Health Care Providers amended May 26, 2020: regulated health professionals may begin to a gradual restart of deferred services, which should be carried out in coordination with, and adherence to guidance from, your applicable health regulatory college, and by adhering to the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart. Regulatory colleges should provide additional guidance to their members regarding the gradual restart of services that are essential to be provided in person, and those that can be provided virtually (example: return to work guidance from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario). 

For more details on the Stage 1 businesses listed above, including the changes to how those businesses must operate under the Provincial Guidelines, please review the Province's Detailed List of Stage 1 Openings. If you own a business in one of the categories that are being permitted to reopen, it is important that you do so safely and following all provincial health and safety guidelines, and do so ONLY IF you are able to put all of the necessary precautions in place. Continuing to offer curbside pick up, delivery, and cashless/touchless payment options as part of your regular operations is still advised. 

Additional Restrictions that have been lifted

Pre-Stage 1 Businesses Permitted to Reopen

As of Monday, May 4th certain restrictions on businesses began to lift, contingent on them adapting to new health and safety practices the following businesses have been able to operate:

  • May 4 - Garden Centres and nurseries 
  • May 4 - Lawn care and landscaping 
  • May 4 - Essential construction projects 
  • May 4 - Automatic and self-serve car washes 
  • May 4 - Auto dealerships - by appointment only
  • May 4 - Golf Courses and Marinas could begin to prepare to open for the season
  • May 8 - Garden centres and nurseries can allow in-store payment and purchases
  • May 9 - Hardware Stores and Safety supply stores can allow in-store payment and purchases
  • May 11 - Retail stores with a street entrance may provide curbside pickup and delivery
  • May 14 - Golf courses may open, with clubhouses open only for washrooms, and restaurants open only for take-out
  • May 14 - Marinas, boat clubs, and public boat launches may open for recreational use (The City of Brockville intends to open the marina on May 28 for seasonal boaters only)
  • May 14 - Private parks and campgrounds may prepare to open and allow access for trailers and RVs for full-season contracts
  • May 14 - Businesses that board animals may allow boarders to visit, care for, or ride their animal.

Please be advised that if you open your business before your sector has been given permission by the Premier to do so, you face a $750 fine.

List of Essential Businesses:

  • Supply chains
  • Food
  • Services
  • Services to the public that are restricted to alternative methods of sale
  • Financial Services
  • Telecommunications and IT infrastructure/service providers
  • Maintenance
  • Transportation services
  • Manufacturing
  • Agriculture and food production
  • Construction
  • Resources and energy
  • Community Services
  • Research
  • Health care and social services

For more details, click here to visit the updated list of essential workplaces

Note that teleworking and online commerce are permitted at all times for all businesses.

Restaurants have been able to operate delivery and take-out throughout the pandemic.

For more details, click here to visit the updated list of essential workplaces.

Note that teleworking and online commerce are permitted at all times for all businesses.

Restaurants have been able to operate delivery and take-out throughout the pandemic.

Please click here to access relevant staff in our City Departments: https://brockville.com/departments