Changes to Public Health Measures: New Zone Classifications to Replace Staged Approach
The Government of Ontario has released a new framework to keep Ontario open and safe. This new framework includes a shift to more targeted approaches to public health measures to prevent wide spread closures in the Province. Starting Saturday November 7th, all health unit districts will be classified in one of five categories:
- Green (Prevent): This stage will focus on education and awareness of public health and workplace safety measures in place. Restrictions in this stage will reflect the broadest allowance of activities in Stage 3 absent a widely available vaccine or treatment. All Northern Ontario health units as well as health units not listed in the categories below will begin in this stage.
- Yellow (Protect): Enhanced targeted enforcement, fines, and enhanced education to limit further transmission. This will lead to increased public health measures in high risk settings.Brant County, Hamilton, Durham & Halton will begin in the Yellow stage.
- Orange (Restrict): Implement enhanced measures, restrictions, and enforcement avoiding any closures. Focus on where outbreaks are occurring vs widespread closures. Eastern Ontario Health Unit, Ottawa, Peel, Toronto & York will begin in the Orange stage.
- Red (Control): Implement broader-scale measures and restrictions, across multiple sectors, to control transmission (i.e. return to modified Stage 2). Restrictions are the most severe available before widescale business or organizational closure. No health units will begin in this stage.
- Grey (Lockdown): To be implemented if trends continue to worsen after measures from Control level are implemented. Implement widescale measures and restrictions, including closures, to halt or interrupt transmission (Return to modified Stage 1 or pre-Stage 1). Consider declaration of emergency. No health units will begin in this stage.
Health Measures:
Gatherings, Masks & Other PPE:
- Green, Yellow and Orange Zones: Gathering limits for unorganized events and social gatherings (e.g. barbeques) are 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors. Gathering limit for organized public events and gatherings within businesses are 50 people indoors or 100 people outdoors. Gathering limit for religious services, weddings and funerals are 30% capacity indoors or 100 people outdoors. Workplace screening required. Face coverings indoor public spaces and businesses required. Eye protection required where patrons without face coverings are within 2m of workers. Development and implementation of a communication/public education plan (highlighting risk). Advise to restrict non-essential travel from areas of high-transmission to areas of low transmission.
- Red Zones: Gathering limits for all events and social gatherings are10 people indoors or 25 people.
- Lockdown: No gatherings. Back to Stage 1 or pre-stage 1 emergency measures.
Restaurant and Bars:
- Green Zones: Require patrons to be seated & have a minimum of 2m between tables. Dancing, singing and performing music is permitted, with restrictions. Karaoke permitted, with restrictions (no private rooms). Require contact info of a minimum of one person per group. No buffet style service. Night clubs only permitted to operate as restaurant or bar. Businesses must manage line-ups/patrons congregating outside venues to ensure 2m distance. Masks required except when eating or drinking. Eye protection is required where patrons without face coverings are within two metres of workers.
- Yellow Zones: Measures from previous level and: • All food and drink establishments must close at midnight. Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. No consumption of liquor permitted between 12 a.m. to 9 a.m. Require contact information for all seated patrons. Limit of 6 people per table. Limit volume of music (e.g., to be no louder than the volume of a normal conversation)
- Orange Zones: Measures from previous levels and: • 50 person indoor capacity limit in all food and drink establishments, with proper social distancing. All food and drink establishments must close at 10 p.m. Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. No consumption of liquor between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. Require screening of patrons (e.g., questionnaire). Limit of 4 people per table. Closure of strip clubs.
- Red Zones: Measures from previous levels and: • 10 person indoor capacity limit in all food and drink establishments. Outdoor dining, take out, drive through, and delivery permitted. Dancing, singing and the live performance of brass or wind instruments are prohibited.
- Lockdown: Back to Stage 1 or pre-stage 1 emergency measures. Closure of all businesses, with exception of different types of services (curbside pick up, drive through, delivery).
Fitness Centers:
- Green Zones: Limit of 50 people indoors, with proper social distancing measures. Limit volume of music (e.g., conversation level).
- Yellow Zones: Measures from previous levels and face coverings required except when exercising. Increase spacing between patrons to 3m for areas where there are weights/weight machines and exercise/fitness classes. Require appointments for entry.
- Orange Zones: Measures from previous levels and require screening of patrons (e.g., questionnaire). Limit duration of stay (e.g. 60 minutes).
- Red Zones: Measures from previous levels however new limit of 10 people indoors.
- Lockdown: Back to Stage 1 or pre-stage 1 emergency measures. All fitness centers closed.
Meetings and Events:
- Green Zones: Limits of 50 people indoors (per meeting room, as long as physical distancing can be maintained) or 100 people outdoors. Booking multiple rooms for the same event not permitted.
- Yellow Zones: Measures from previous levels and: • Establishments must close at midnight. Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. No consumption of liquor permitted between 12 a.m. to 9 a.m. Require contact information for all seated patrons. Limit of 6 people per table. Limit volume of music (e.g., to be no louder than the volume of a normal conversation).
- Orange Zones: Measures from previous levels and: • Maximum of 50 people per facility (revoke capacity limit on a per room basis). Establishments must close at 10 p.m. Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. No consumption of liquor between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. Limit of 4 people per table. Require screening of patrons (e.g., questionnaire).
- Red Zones: Measures from previous levels and: • New limit of 10 people per facility indoors or 25 people outdoors.
- Lockdown: Back to Stage 1 or pre-stage 1 emergency measures. All meetings and events cancelled/closed.
Pools and Spas:
- Green Zones: Pools, splash pads open. Oxygen bars, steam rooms, saunas, and whirlpools closed.
- Yellow Zones: Measures from previous level and: • Require contact information from all patrons.
- Orange Zones: Measures from previous level and: • Change rooms & showers closed. Bath houses, hot tubs, floating pools and sensory deprivation pods closed. Require screening of patrons (e.g., questionnaire).
- Red Zones: Measures from previous level • Spa services requiring removal of face coverings prohibited.
- Lockdown: Back to Stage 1 or pre-stage 1 emergency measures. All pools and spas closed.