Ontario Moving to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen

Ontario will be moving into Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen
at 12:01 AM on Friday July 16, 2021. Step Three of the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of additional indoor services with larger numbers of people and restrictions in place. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people with limited exceptions;
  • Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people;
  • Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing;
  • Indoor dining permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect;
  • Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to open subject to a maximum 50 per cent capacity of the indoor space. Capacity for indoor spectators is 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less. Capacity for outdoor spectators is 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 15,000 people, whichever is less;
  • Indoor meeting and event spaces permitted to operate with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect and capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people, (whichever is less);
  • Essential and non-essential retail with with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
  • Personal care services, including services requiring the removal of a face covering, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
  • Museums, galleries, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, landmarks, botanical gardens, science centres, casinos/bingo halls, amusement parks, fairs and rural exhibitions, festivals, with capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity indoors and 75 per cent capacity outdoors;
  • Concert venues, cinemas, and theatres permitted to operate at:
  • up to 50 per cent capacity indoors or a maximum limit of 1,000 people for seated events (whichever is less)
  • up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum limit of 5,000 people for unseated events (whichever is less); and up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum of 15,000 people for events with fixed seating (whichever is less).
  • Real estate open houses with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres; and
  • Indoor food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs and restobars, permitted up to 25 per cent capacity or up to a maximum limit of 250 people (whichever is less).


The Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Chamber Network thank the frontline healthcare workers and Ontarians who rolled up their sleeves to make this possible. "We are all breathing a sigh of relief as recovery is in sight with daily case counts dropping, vaccination rates increasing, and the Province signalling we are ready to move into Step 3 of reopening. However, this does not mean that small business owners and others hit hardest by the crisis are out of the woods.
Over the last 16 months, small businesses have accrued alarmingly high debt to stay afloat. We call on the Province to do everything it can, including addressing the shortcomings of the Small Business Support Grant and opening up applications for a third round, to help ease the burden. Continued supports will be critical to prevent more business closures. We also call for additional workplace guidance. The government has a fundamental role to play in addressing questions employers have as public health measures ease."

Ottawa Public Health Business Updates

Updated Workplace Mask Guidelines from the Ontario Government
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has provided some new material in the Guide to developing your COVID-19 workplace safety plan (the “Safety Plan Guide”). The guide provides a framework for managing workplace risks from COVID-19. It can be adapted to any situation and can be used to identify and implement control measures based on guidance from public health and OHS sources, including incorporating new evidence as it emerges and adapting to (local) changes in the pandemic situation. The recent revisions include new or updated information about several evolving topics of particular importance for many employers:

  • Active screening of workers
  • Air flow/ventilation
  • What to do if there is a case of COVID-19 in the workplace
  • The use of masks as source control

In addition, new standalone guidance on using masks in the workplace has been released.
 
Develop a Physical Distancing Plan
Physical distancing continues to be an important element of your safety plans. Think about how you will maintain distance between customers and employees. Post directional signage to support your plan throughout your business and at the entrance.


COVID-19 vaccination updates and resources
Visit the OPH Covid-19 Vaccination page to learn who can currently get the Covid-19 vaccine, and visit the Frequently asked questions page for more information about COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination update e-subscription for regular news on the vaccine roll-out. 

How can employers promote and encourage vaccines at work? Watch video now!
To be #TogetherAgain, we must continue to protect ourselves,
our families, and our communities.

The Ottawa Board of Trade and Ontario Chamber Network encourages
every Ontarian to get their shot as soon as they can to help slow transmission
of new variants and prevent a fourth wave.

Book Your Accelerated Second Dose Now

All Ontarians who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine over the age of 12 are now eligible for an accelerated appointment for a second dose. You can book you appointment through the provincial booking system and participating pharmacies.

Ottawa Public Health Vaccination Resources

Sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination update e-subscription for regular news on the vaccine roll-out. Plus visit Ottawa Public Health's Vaccine Toolkit for Employers and Community Immunity pages for more tips.

This is our shot to help curb the spread and be #TogetherAgain.
We're excited to see vaccination rates on the rise and case counts lowering.
As we move into the next steps of re-opening, we must continue to diligently
follow public health protocols to help slow the transmission of new variants
while herd immunity is being achieved.

Rapid testing is a critical part of curbing the spread of COVID-19 by identifying asymptomatic cases in the workplace that might otherwise be missed.

Get Ready Daily Screening Tool

Ontario law mandates that all workplaces must implement daily screenings of employees and essential visitors. The Ottawa Board of Trade has partnered with Get Ready Inc to help businesses meet compliance.

The Get Ready Daily Screening Tool is a convenient and accessible way for businesses to complete mandatory COVID-19 screenings. The digital tool reduces touchpoints, saves you time, and helps support contact tracing.
L to R: Susie Grynol, President of the Hotel Association of Canada | Sueling Ching, President & CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade | Perrin Beatty, President & CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce | Ross Meredith, Dual General Manager of The Westin Ottawa and Delta Hotels by Marriott | Joe Kowalski, Founder of Wilderness Tours, Ottawa River | Jamie Kwong, the Executive Director of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition
ICYMI: Ottawa industry leaders call on federal government to release comprehensive re-opening plan to save local businesses.

Together with the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable (The Roundtable), industry leaders from Ottawa are calling on the federal government to announce a re-opening plan for Canadians before calling an election.

“At this stage in the pandemic, we expect our federal government to have a clear plan in place. Countless businesses in Ottawa have either already permanently closed or are on the brink of bankruptcy. Our business community needs a predictable, clear and science-based plan in place to build back our economy. Tourism in the Ottawa area is a key driver of the local economy which normally draws millions of visitors each year. With vaccines and COVID-19 rapid antigen testing kits rolling out in Ottawa, businesses expected that tourism would return here. Instead we are left waiting for a plan.” - Sueling Ching, President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade


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