There's an Ontario map to show you colour-coded COVID-19 restrictions

This story was initially published in December but is updated to reflect changes effective as of March 30.

Last fall, the Ontario government released a colour-coded framework to help Ontarians navigate the next phase of the pandemic. This framework outlines rules, restrictions, and zones for every region throughout the province based on how they are faring with the virus.

However, it can be a confusing system to navigate. Especially because the framework acts as a guideline, meaning each local medical officer of health can add on more restrictions if they deem it necessary.

The provincial government released an interactive map to help residents visibly understand each region’s designated zone.

The colour-coded framework includes five different zones: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Grey-Lockdown.

On February 16, Stay at Home orders were lifted for 27 regions, advancing them to the colour-coded system. However, areas with higher infection rates, including Toronto, Peel, York, and North Bay Parry Sound, were under Stay at Home orders until March 8.

Toronto and Peel both remain in Grey-Lockdown. York Region is in Red-Control.

Hamilton moved into Grey-Lockdown on March 29.

Middlesex-London was also moved into Red-Control on March 30 after the region’s case rate increased by 87%.

On March 26, officials tightened restrictions in Timiskaming by moving it into Red-Control after cases per capita increased 700%.

All Ontarians are being asked to limit close contact to their immediate household, regardless of which zone they live in.

After returning to the framework, public health regions will stay at their level for at least two weeks. At that time, the government will assess the impact of public health and workplace safety measures to determine if the region should stay where they are or be moved to a different level.

However, in all the colours, retail is allowed to reopen with the stricter measures in the Grey and Red Zones. Stores in Grey Zone regions can reopen at 25% capacity, and stores in Red Zones at 50%.

Those in the red or grey zones should only leave their homes for essential purposes, such as work, school, grocery shopping, exercise, and medical appointments, the government says.

Under the grey category, no indoor organized public events or social gatherings will be allowed, except with members of the same household. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people, as long as physical distancing is maintained.

• See also:
  • Ontario’s colour-coded system changes as province plans gradual reopening

Restaurants, bars, and food or drink establishments in Grey-Lockdown cannot open their indoor dining rooms. On March 20, Ontario updated the rules to let restaurants with patios resume outdoor service. Grey zone eateries can also offer takeout, delivery, and drive-through.

Several industries are closed in the grey zone, including personal care services, casinos, bingo halls, cinemas (except for drive-ins), museums, sports and recreational facilities (except for high performance and professional athletes), and meeting or event spaces.

Supermarkets, grocery and convenience stores, hardware stores, beer, wine, and liquor stores, pharmacies, and safety supply stores will remain open at 50% capacity.

Prevent (standard measures) – GREEN

• Grey Bruce Health Unit
• Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit

Protect (strengthened measures) – YELLOW

• Algoma Public Health
• Renfrew County and District Health Unit
• Huron Perth Public Health
• Northwestern Health Unit
• Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
• Renfrew County and District
• Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Health Unit
• Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

Restrict (intermediate measures) – ORANGE

• Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
• Southwestern Public Health
• Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Public Health
• Porcupine Health Unit

Control (stringent measures) – RED

• Durham Region Health Department
• Halton Region Public Health
• Niagara Region Public Health
• Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
• Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
• York Region
• Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit
• Peterborough Public Health
• Ottawa Public Health (NEW)
• Brant County Health Unit
• Chatham-Kent Public Health
• Timiskaming Health Unit
• North Bay Parry Sound District
• Eastern Ontario Health Unit
• Middlesex-London Health Unit

Lockdown (maximum measures) – GREY

• Thunder Bay District Health Unit
• Peel Region
• The City of Toronto
• Public Health Sudbury and Districts
• Lambton Public Health
• City of Hamilton Public Health Services

You can now check this map to see which regions have moved into different colours to understand how Ontario’s third wave of COVID-19 affects different regions.