Province-Wide Shutdown Update
New Regulations Effective Today
Last Friday, the Government announced a new suite of restrictions that were meant to come into effect as of Saturday, April 17th, 2021. In order to best inform you, NOTO has been waiting until we’ve had the official updated regulations on hand. We do apologize for the delay and we hope that this will help clarify some of the questions you may have.
The State-of-Emergency, the Stay-at-Home Order, and all regulations under the Reopening Ontario Act will remain in effect until May 20th, with possibility of extension. Anyone who is able to work from home should do so. The Government is strongly advising all individuals to avoid travel outside their respective public health regions at this time.
Stay-at-Home Order:
This order requires everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise, or for work that cannot be done remotely. To view the official Stay-at-Home regulations, please click here.
Gatherings:
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings are not allowed, except with members of the same household (the people you live with).
Short-term rentals (AirBnB style businesses):
- Every person who provides short term rental accommodation shall ensure that any rentals are only provided to individuals who are in need of housing.
- Does not apply with respect to hotels, motels, lodges, resorts and other shared rental accommodation.
Hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other shared rental accommodation:
- Any indoor pools, communal steam rooms, saunas or whirlpools, indoor fitness centres, or other indoor recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses, are closed.
- Must close all outdoor recreational amenities highlighted below.
Restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments:
- Take out, drive through, and delivery only (includes the sale of alcohol).
Seasonal campgrounds:
Campsites must be made available only for trailers and recreational vehicles that are:
- used by individuals who are in need of housing
- permitted to be there by the terms of a full season contract
Only campsites with electricity, water services and facilities for sewage disposal may be provided. All recreational facilities in the campground and all other shared facilities in the campground, other than washrooms and showers, must be closed. Other areas of the campground must be closed to the general public and must only be opened for the purpose of preparing the campground for reopening.
Marinas:
Marinas can only offer the following services:
- Repairing or servicing boats or other watercraft.
- Placing boats or other watercraft in the water to be secured to a dock until the marina is open to the public.
- Any other services that may be required to (i) enable individuals to access their place of residence or their other property, (ii) support government operations or services, or (iii). support the transportation of items by commercial barges.
For greater certainty, the person who operates the marina shall not permit it to be used for recreational boating purposes.
Outdoor recreational amenities:
The following outdoor recreational amenities must be closed:
- All outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields, including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, frisbee golf locations, tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, BMX parks, and skate parks and recreational areas containing outdoor fitness equipment.
- All outdoor picnic sites and picnic tables in park and recreational areas.
Outdoor playgrounds and outdoor play structures may be open, with physical distancing in place.
To view the official regulations, please click here.
Please Note: Local medical officers of health also have the ability to issue Section 22 orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to target specific transmission risks in the community. All operators are encouraged to reach out to their local health units to make sure they comply with all regulations and restrictions in their respective districts.
|
