Ontario reveals ‘new normal’ for businesses entering Stage 2

TORONTO, June 20, 2020 — With a large number of businesses reopening yesterday across 24 regions in Ontario, with the exception Toronto, Peel and Windsor-Essex, most of them will need to comply with that dreaded dreaded phrase many refer to as ‘the new normal.’

What exactly that new normal will look like was revealed on Tuesday by Premier Doug Ford as he announced that a tool kit to help businesses through a safe reopening during the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restaurant, bars, stores and salons will be able to use this new provincial tool kit as they ready for reopening. Toronto restaurants and bars are beginning to prepare outdoor patios complying with the new provincial guidelines of making sure there is a two-metre distance between each table. They also must prepare to make sure know singing and dancing goes on in order to reduce the spread of droplets. While, clothing store owners must close every other fitting room door as well as curtained fitting rooms. And in shopping malls indoor food courts are to remain closed.

Ontario’s, tool kit is there to help businesses reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, by making their workplaces safe with 133 sector-specific workplace safety guidance documents.

“The COVID-19 safety plan guide builds on many supports we have already provided to businesses to help them prepare for reopening,” Premier Ford said at Queen’s Park on Tuesday.

The new Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act outlines Ontario’s new regulations for businesses to adhere to while they are operating under Stage 2 of the reopening of the province.

Obviously with the new guidelines in place, the patio and salon experience will be decidedly different from pre-COVID days. But right now a new normal is better than no normal.

Here is what can customers expect at restaurants, bars, malls, hotels and salons under Ontario’s new regulations

Ontario restaurants and bars

Toronto patios will be permitted to operate at 50 per cent capacity with no more than six customers at each table. Toronto Public Health recommends masks for both staff and customers (except when eating). Patrons will not be allowed to enter the establishment unless it is to either pay, pick-up food, use the washroom, or to gain access the patio.

Also, under the new regulations for restaurants live music will not be permitted, as the music volume causes patrons to get closer to hear each other and in many cases it causes people to “raise their voices or shout, thus increasing the risk of transmitting the virus,” the city’s statement reads. With this in mind pre-recorded music must be kept at lower volumes to enable people to converse without shouting at each other.

In order to accurately facilitate the potential need for contact tracing, restaurant and bar owners take down the contact information for all customers and staff, along with their check-in times.

Ontario salons and spas

When hair and nail salons, barbershops, aesthetician services and tattoo parlours reopen under Stage 2, customers and staff must wear masks at all times and facial treatment are prohibited. Also, showers, steam rooms, locker rooms and hot tubs must remain closed, with some exceptions can be made for therapeutic purposes, prescribed or administered by regulated health professionals.

Ontario hotels and short-term rentals

Ontario hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other short-term rental businesses reopen in Stege 2, but their gyms, fitness centres, steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools and hot tubs must remain closed. 

Ontario shopping malls

Malls and shopping centres can open under Stage 2 but heir food courts must remain closed.

While the stores within the malls and at shopping centres must disinfect fitting use before with each use and every other fitting room must remain closed. Curtained fitting rooms must also remain closed.

There are also extensive rules and regulations for libraries, community centres, real estate, sports facilities and many more establishments available at ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r20263.