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Stage 1 of Framework to Reopen Province – More Details for Businesses

The government has provided additional details to assist you while you consider reopening your businesses.  Just a reminder, the number of people allowed to gather has not changed – it still cannot exceed 5.  I have bolded a couple of categories that apply to the Village, however included the list for your information.
As always, call me anytime – 613-273-9195. I may not have the answer, but I can make some calls to assist.
Yesterday the government announced details of stage one of A Framework to Reopen Our Province, which will begin on May 19th, provided that public health metrics continue to trend in a positive direction.
Workplaces and services that may reopen in stage one are well-positioned to adopt workplace safety measures and get more people back to work, while not overburdening public transit and other services. A full detailed list of the workplaces permitted to reopen can be found below. You can read the whole plan for stage 1 by clicking here.
We are taking a cautious, practical and reasonable approach to reopening the economy, guided by the advice of health and science experts. This approach will allow business owners and service provider’s time to ensure workplaces are safe for staff, consumers and the general public.
Stage 1 of Framework to Re-Open Province
Detailed List of Stage 1 Openings:
This list is effective May 19, 2020, and may be updated when the corresponding emergency orders are amended.
Construction
* All construction to resume and essential workplace limits lifted
* Includes land surveyors
Retail
* In addition to retail operating online, or with curbside pickup and delivery, all retail can open under the following restrictions and guidelines:
* No indoor malls.
* Must have a street-front entrance (i.e., stores with dedicated street access/storefront).
* 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.
* For further guidance on this sector, please refer to resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace.
Vehicle dealerships and retailers
* Vehicle dealerships and retailers, including:
* New and used car, truck, and motorcycle dealers
* Recreational vehicle (RV) dealers (e.g., campers, motor homes, trailers, travel trailers)
* Boat, watercraft and marine supply dealers
* Other vehicle dealers of motorized bicycles, golf carts, scooters, snowmobiles, ATVs, utility trailers, etc.
* Prior to Stage 1, motor vehicles dealerships were restricted to appointments only.
Media operations
* Office-based media operations involving equipment that does not allow for remote working.
For example:
* Sound recording, such as production, distribution, publishing, studios.
* Film and television post-production, film and television animation studios.
* Publishing: periodical, book, directory, software, video games.
* Interactive digital media, such as computer systems design and related services (e.g., programming, video game design and development).
* Media activities that can be completed while working remotely have been encouraged to continue during the Restart phase.
* Filming or other on-site activities, especially those that require the gathering of workers, performers or others are not permitted to resume in Stage 1.
Scheduled surgeries (public and private facilities)
* Non-emergency diagnostic imaging and surgeries in public hospitals, private hospitals and independent health facilities, clinics, and private practices to resume based on ability to meet specified pre-conditions including the MOH framework: A Measured Approach to Planning for Surgeries and Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic, contains clear criteria that must be met before hospitals can resume scheduled surgeries.
* Scheduled surgical and procedural work to resume once “Directive #2 for Health Care Providers (Regulated Health Professionals or Persons who operate a Group Practice of Regulated Health Professionals)” is amended or revoked, which relies on hospitals meeting criteria outlined in A Measured Approach to Planning for Surgeries and Procedures During the COVID-19.
Health services
* 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.
* In-person counselling to resume including psychotherapy and other mental health and support services. Some of these services were available in-person for urgent needs.
For example:
* Addiction counselling
* Crisis intervention
* Family counselling
* Offender rehabilitation
* Palliative care counselling
* Parenting services
* Rape crisis centres
* Refugee services
Community services
* Libraries for pick-up or delivery
Outdoor recreational amenities
* Marinas can resume recreational services
* Pools will remain closed
Individual recreational sports
* Outdoor recreational sports centres for sports not played in teams will open with limited access to facilities (e.g., no clubhouse, no change rooms, washrooms and emergency aid only).  The baseball diamond, washrooms and playground remain closed.
Examples of sports centres include:
* Tennis courts
* Rod and gun clubs
* Cycling tracks (including BMX)
* Horse riding facilities
* Indoor rod and gun clubs and indoor golf driving ranges
Individual sports competitions without spectators
* Professional and amateur sport activity for individual/single competitors, including training and competition conducted by a recognized Provincial Sport Organization, National Sport Organization, or recognized national Provincial training centres (e.g., Canadian Sport Institute Ontario) with return to play protocols in place and no spectators, except for an accompanying guardian for a person under the age of 18 years.
* This includes indoor and outdoor non-team sport competitions that can be played under physical distancing measures. This includes:
* Water sports on lakes and outdoor bodies of water
* Racquet sports such as tennis, ping pong, badminton
* Animal-related sports such as dog racing, agility, horse racing
* Other sports such as: track and field, car and motorcycle racing, figure skating, fencing, rock climbing, gymnastics, etc.
* Swimming pools will remain closed. As a result, water-based sports competitions are excluded if not conducted on lakes or outdoor bodies of water.
* High-contact sports are not allowed even if they are non-team. These include sports where physical distancing cannot be practiced such as:
* Racquetball, squash, boxing, wrestling sports, martial arts, etc.
* the basketball court will remain closed
Professional services related to research and development
* Professional services related to conducting research and experimental development in physical, engineering and life sciences including electronics, computers, chemistry, oceanography, geology, mathematics, physics, environmental, medicine, health, biology, botany, biotechnology, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, pharmacy, veterinary and other allied subjects. For example:
* Agriculture, food research, horticulture or botany, entomological, forestry, livestock, veterinary research and development laboratories.
* Bacteriological, biotechnology, chemical, nanobiotechnology, pharmacy, genetics, genomics, computational biology, research and development laboratories.
* Computer and related hardware, electronic, telecommunication research and development services.
* Geology, oceanographic, pollution research and development, and astronomical observatories.
* Mathematics research and development.
* Industrial research and development laboratories.
* These examples are listed for clarity. Most if not all these services are already permitted under the “Research” section of the List of Essential Workplaces.
Emissions inspection facilities
* All emissions inspection facilities for heavy diesel commercial motor vehicles, including mobile inspection facilities.
Veterinary services
* Veterinary services can resume all services by appointment.
Animal services
* Pet grooming services
* Pet sitting services
* Dog walking services
* Pet training services
* Training and provision of service animals
* Effective May 16, 2020, businesses that board animals (e.g., stables) may allow boarders to visit, care for, or ride their animal
Indoor and outdoor household services
*Private households could now employ workers on or about the premises in activities primarily concerned with the operation of the household such as:
*Domestic services: housekeepers, cooks, maids, butlers, personal affairs management, nanny services, babysitters, other domestic personnel, etc.
*Cleaning and maintenance service: house cleaning, indoor/outdoor painting, window cleaning, pool cleaning, general repairs.
*General maintenance, and repair services can resume, and are no longer limited to “strictly necessary” maintenance.
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Ontario Announces Additional Workplaces that Can Reopen

News Release

May 14, 2020

Additional seasonal, retail and household businesses must follow public health guidelines

TORONTO — Today, the Ontario government announced the retailers, seasonal businesses and health and community service providers who will be permitted to open or expand their services on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., provided that the general trend on health indicators continues to improve as part of the first stage of the government’s reopening framework. The workplaces opening as part this stage are well-positioned to put workplace safety measures in place and get more people back to work, while not overburdening public transit and other services.

The government also announced additional seasonal services and activities will be permitted to open as early as Saturday May 16, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., in time for the Victoria Day long weekend, as key public health indicators continue to show progress.

The details were provided by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

“During the last several weeks, the people of Ontario have been called on to make incredible sacrifices to help us stop the spread of COVID-19, including staying home from work, closing down businesses and going without a regular paycheque,” said Premier Ford. “However, we are reopening even more of our businesses beginning this long weekend. We are taking a cautious, balanced approach to our economic reopening, to protect the health and safety of everyone.”

As soon as 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2020:

  • Golf courses will be able to open, with clubhouses open only for washrooms and restaurants open only for take-out.
  • Marinas, boat clubs and public boat launches may open for recreational use.
  • Private parks and campgrounds may open to enable preparation for the season and to allow access for trailers and recreational vehicles whose owners have a full season contract.
  • Businesses that board animals, such as stables, may allow boarders to visit, care for or ride their animal.

The government’s responsible and measured approach to reopening will allow business owners and service provider’s time to ensure workplaces are safe for staff, consumers and the general public. Assuming trends in key public health indicators continue to improve, Ontario’s first stage of reopening will begin on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and will include:

  • 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 ess ential workplace limits on construction.

“We are taking a cautious, practical and reasonable approach to restarting the economy, while maintaining the health and safety of the p eople of Ontario as our top priority,” said Minister Phillips. “This will allow Ontario to emerge from this outbreak with a clear path to economic recovery that keeps people safe and healthy.”

The government and health and safety associations have released more than 90 safety guidance documents to assist employers in multiple sectors, including construction, retail, facilities maintenance and manufacturing. As new sectors of the economy begin to reopen, additional resources will be made available to help protect the safety of workers and the general public.

To support business-owners, workers and the economic recovery of the province, the government has launched a website to provide businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers. The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory has an up-to-date list of Ontario companies and business associations that are ready to supply personal protective equipment.

“Ontario’s businesses stepped up at the outset of this crisis not only to keep their workers and customers safe, but to come forward with innovative ideas and solutions that represent the best of the Ontario Spirit,” said Minister Fedeli. “This new website is truly a made-in-Ontario approach with Ontario businesses helping Ontario businesses.”

The government continues to prioritize the needs of patients, frontline health care workers and first responders when it comes to having critical equipment and supplies to protect themselves during the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses are encouraged to access only the PPE they need to keep their employees and customers safe.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our mission to keep workers in this province safe,” said Minister McNaughton. “Ontario’s labour laws are clear: businesses must protect the health and safety of workers, including against workplace hazards like COVID-19. That’s why our ministry has released practical safety guidelines, doubled our capacity to help people by phone and hired more inspectors. We want to ensure everyone is safe at work.”

To ensure that these first actions to reopen the province are a success, the public should continue to adhere to public health measures, including practising physical distancing or wearing a face covering when physical distancing is difficult or not possible, as well as regular handwashing and staying home when ill. The Chief Medical Officer of Health will closely monitor the evolving situation to advise when certain public health restrictions, including adjustments to social gatherings can be gradually loosened or if they need to be tightened.

“Because of the collective efforts of all Ontarians, we are making real and significant progress in our battle against COVID-19, with the number of new cases each day shrinking,” said Minister Elliott. “As we move forward with caution, public health experts will closely monitor each stage of reopening to carefully assess the evolution of the outbreak, so we can benefit from the best practices and lessons learned across Ontario.”

QUICK FACTS

  • The province will be providing an update on school closures and child care early next week.
  • If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.
  • On April 30, 2020, the government, in partnership with Ontario’s Health and Safety Associations, released sector-specific guidelines and posters to help protect workers, customers and the general public in preparation for the gradual reopening of the economy. These contain recommendations and tips for employers on how to keep workers and customers safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • On April 27, 2020, the government released A Framework for Reopening our Province, which unveiled the guiding principles to the safe, stage-by-stage reopening of businesses, services and public spaces in Ontario. This gradual reopening is part of the first stage of Phase 2: Restart in Ontario’s Framework for Reopening our Province.
  • On March 25, 2020, the government launched Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID 19, a $17-billion package with funding targeted to protect the people of Ontario and support jobs, businesses and families as part of the government’s initial response to the pandemic.
  • The new Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee wants to hear directly from people and organizations from all regions and sectors to help inform the next phases of Ontario’s Action Plan in response to COVID-19. The survey, which is seeking feedback on the impacts of COVID-19 on personal finances, business supports and government relief measures, will be open until June 2020. Visit Ontario.ca/reopen to learn how you can provide your input.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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Daffodils planted by volunteers in bloom

Last year, during the kick off to Dream Big Westport, I suggested that volunteers could take on the challenge of beautifying the entrances to the Village by planting spring bulbs.  One group took up the challenge, and here is the result of their first year’s efforts on Concession.  Thank you!

Any other groups or families that want to spend a little time planting bulbs this fall?  There are three other entry points/signs that are just begging for some TLC.  I pledge a personal cash donation to help cover the costs of the bulbs.

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Ontario Extends Electricity Rate Relief During COVID-19

News Release

Residential, farm and small business customers continue to benefit from temporary relief measure

 

Office of the Premier

 

TORONTO — The Ontario government is extending emergency electricity rate relief to families, farms and small businesses until May 31, 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak. Customers who pay time-of-use electricity rates will continue to be billed at the lowest price, known as the off-peak price, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This electricity rate relief, initially provided for a 45-day period starting on March 24, 2020, has been extended by an emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The rate relief is intended to be in place for an additional 24 days.

“During this extraordinary period, many people are struggling to pay the bills as they do the right thing by staying at home, as well as our farmers and those whose businesses have closed or suffered reduced customer traffic,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Although we are making progress in our fight against this COVID-19 outbreak, we are not out of the woods yet. The extension of this electricity rate relief will leave more money in people’s pockets until businesses can start to reopen and people can get back to work.”

On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is also extending all emergency orders that have been put in place to-date under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until May 19, 2020. The emergency orders include:

Quick Facts

  • The Government of Ontario declared a provincial emergency on March 17, 2020 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. This declaration of emergency was last extended on April 14, 2020 and is currently in effect until May 12, 2020.
  • There are approximately five million residential consumers, farms and some small businesses billed using time-of-use (TOU) electricity prices under the Regulated Price Plan.
  • The current off-peak Time of Use electricity rate is 10.1 cents per kilowatt hour for Regulated Price Plan customers.