Hub Staff

Dr Ian Arra, the Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer of the Grey Bruce Health Unit has released an updated set of guidelines designed to enhance public health and workplace safety measures and align with recent provincial restrictions announced January 12.

All Ontario residents are being asked to stay at home with the exception of essential outings such as groceries, exercise, healthcare or, if permitted, for work. Physical distancing of two meters must be observed outside the home with anyone who is not either a caregiver or a member of your household. Face coverings are mandatory in all businesses and must cover one's nose, mouth and chin.

Contradicting with the stay at home order, limits on outdoor social gatherings has tightened from 10 people to five. In regards to workspaces, guidelines state that all employees are to work remotely unless their position requires them to be on site.

Grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets and pharmacies will remain open for in-store shopping, but customers must adhere to the social distancing and face covering rules. These spaces continue to be limited to a 50% capacity.

Big-box stores that sell groceries, as well as “discount retailers”, are reduced to 25% capacity and must adhere to the same social distancing and face covering requirement.

All “other retailers” are restricted to a 7am to 8pm operating window and must enforce the social distancing and face covering rules.

Liquor and beer stores are further restricted to the hours of 9am to 8pm while cannabis retail stores require advance orders and can only offer curb-side pickup.

Any safety supply and medical equipment retailers are required to operate by appointment only. General retail stores (hardware, pet store, electronics, etc.) are not permitted to open for in-person shopping but may coordinate curb-side pickup and delivery services.

Hotel, motel, cottage rentals and such are prohibited with the exception of housing requirements. All indoor recreation facilities remain closed to the public, but outdoor spaces such as parks, playgrounds, trails and ice rinks are accessible providing two-metre distancing can be maintained. Indoor entertainment, theatres, concert halls and cinemas including drive-in theatres and drive-through events are all closed.

Schools in Ontario’s grey zones have extended their closure to February 10. All other school boards, including the Bluewater District School Board is set to receive an announcement January 20th on the return to in-person learning, which is tentatively scheduled for January 25. The return to in-school classes will incorporate new restrictions including mandatory masking for Grades 1 and up, mandatory outdoor masking if social distancing cannot be maintained, and enhanced screening measures.

Child care centres will remain open for non-school aged children and before and after school programs will resume when schools reopen. The emergency child care offered to school aged children of front-line workers will end when schools reopen. Child care organizations are also expected to adapt the enhanced screening practices that will be introduced in schools.

Commercial construction projects associated with long-term care centres, educational institutions, child care centres, provincial and municipal infrastructure, internet and cellular technologies and critical industrial projects are authorized to proceed during the lockdown.

In addition, projects that are related to the production, processing or distribution of food, beverages and agricultural products that have a deadline prior to July 2021 are also permitted. Projects already in progress that enhance the capacity for businesses that provide logistical support, distribution services, warehousing and shipping services, or businesses that support the operation and delivery of IT and telecommunication services will be allowed to continue.

Authorized residential projects include single, semi-detached or town houses with an existing footing permit or condo and other multi residential building. Residential renovations that were started prior to January 12 will also be permitted. Site preparation construction including excavating, road grading or utility installation is also included in the list of acceptable construction projects. Affordable housing, shelters or any projects related to supporting vulnerable individuals are also permitted. Any project funded or executed by the Crown or agency of the Crown, a municipality, a service manager, charity or not-for-profit organization will be allowed to carry out construction during the current lockdown.

Construction work is also subject to workspace safety measures when indoors and when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Please note that this article focuses on the updated restrictions since the January 12 announcement. Click here for the full list of public health guidelines: https://files.ontario.ca/moh-enhanced-provincewide-shutdown-2021-01-12-v2.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1Hmy69-y5tfsTOp6pORCmmANrLSfoydIHX36vHJMJ8ksO1ZAmqZM7Nbc0