Preparing to Reopen your Business Safely: COVID-19
Last Updated: Wednesday January 13, 2020 11:30 am
Ontario has declared a second provincial emergency (effective January 14 at 12:01am) as a result of high COVID-19 transmission rates and new modelling projections. The government will also be issuing a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes. Additionally, the government will enact the following public health measures:
Please click here for more emergency information.
As of December 26, 2020 at 12:01 am the Province of Ontario will enter a Provincewide Shutdown. Please read through our "Business Resources: COVID-19 page for more details on how this will affect your business.
Businesses that are operating, whether open to the public or not, must have a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan. Click here for the Safety Plan Template and safety plan guidance.
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.
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.
Effective November 7, 2020, amendments to Rules for Areas in Stage 3 (O. Reg. 364/20) now applies to all Public Health Units in the Green, Yellow, and Orange colour zones. For all zones, if a person providing services indoors must come within two (2) metres of another person who is not wearing a mask or face covering, and is not separated by an impermeable barrier, the person providing services must wear appropriate personal protective equipment that covers their eyes, nose, and mouth.
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.
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.
Effective November 7, 2020: For all zones, if a person providing services indoors must come within two (2) metres of another person who is not wearing a mask or face covering, and is not separated by an impermeable barrier, the person providing services must wear appropriate personal protective equipment that covers their eyes, nose, and mouth. Please note that this most likely means a face shield or safety goggles in addition to a mask, as neither option alone meets all of the requirements for a suitable face covering.
“Enclosed Public Space” means indoor public spaces accessed by the public. These include but are not limited to:
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.
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)
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
Notice of Amendments to Rules for Areas in Stage 3 - November 17
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
Reopening Checklist for Storefront Display - retail (fillable pdf)
New Hours of Operation (fillable pdf)
Masks Required in Enclosed Public Spaces - from the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit (posting this statement at all entrances to enclosed public spaces is required)
Proper hand washing & proper use of hand sanitizer
Handwashing Poster (Health Unit)
When to use soap and water/ hand sanitizer
Know the Symptoms of COVID-19
Proper use of PPE:
Cleaning public areas & checklist
Symptom Checklist
Hand sanitizing
Physical distancing/spacing & protect yourself and those around you
Attention Visitors
Safe Shopping poster
Safe Shopping - grocery stores poster
Safe office space poster
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
Physical Distancing:
Hand Hygiene:
Cleaning & Disinfecting:
Screening & Communication:
Preparing the Workplace:
Download the complete WSPS fact sheet
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.
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, Taxi and Ride Shares, Construction, Food Processing, & Restaurants and Food Service.
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:
Curbside Pick up
Delivery:
Cashier Controls
Click here for the full WSPS Cashier Guidance document
Additional Recommendations for Store Operations (from the Province of Saskatchewan)
Click here for the WSPS Guidance Document
Click here for the Public Services Health & Safety Association Guidance Document
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
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:
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.
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:
Find more templates, resources, and examples.
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.
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:
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:
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).
Gathering limits apply to higher risk settings and activities where people congregate, including:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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