What's open and closed during Ontario's Stay-at-Home order
Ontario is once again under a State of Emergency, and a second Stay-at-Home order has been issued.
Premier Doug Ford announced the new measures less than a week after he implemented a province-wide shutdown as COVID-19 cases surged across Ontario.
The order went into effect at 12:01 am on April 8, and will be in place for at least four weeks.
As the name suggests, while the Stay-at-Home order is in place people must stay at home and only go out for necessities.
These include going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care, getting exercise or walking pets, going to work (providing it can’t be done remotely), or going to school.
While the Stay-at-Home order is in place, here is what’s open and closed in Ontario.
Gatherings
During the Stay-at-Home order, it is illegal to gather indoors with anyone you do not live with.
Indoor events and social gatherings are not allowed, except with members of the same household. If you live alone, you may have contact with one other household.
Outdoor gatherings are limited to five people. Individuals must wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing from those they do not live with during permitted gatherings.
Religious, wedding, and funeral services are permitted indoors with up to 15% capacity of the room in which they are held. Receptions are not permitted indoors.
As long as attendees are able to stay two metres apart from each other, there is no limit to how many people can attend these services outdoors. Receptions are limited to five people outdoors.
What’s open
Discount and big box stores
Discount and big box stores are only allowed to offer in-person shopping for designated essential items.
These include groceries, pet care supplies, household cleaning supplies, pharmaceutical items, health care items, and personal care items.
Shopping malls
Shopping malls can only open to allow access to grocery stores, pharmacies, health care services, and government and court services.
Other stores may offer pickup by appointment only, and malls must designate only a single area for indoor pick-up.
There is no limit on the number of outdoor pickup locations.
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Garden centres, plant nurseries, and greenhouses
Outdoor garden centres, plant nurseries, and indoor greenhouses can offer in-person shopping only between 7 am and 8 pm, and must reduce capacity to 25%.
Cannabis stores
In-person shopping at cannabis stores is not permitted.
Stores may offer curbside pickup by appointment only between 9 am and 8 pm, and delivery is allowed between 9 am and 9 pm.
Stores that sell liquor, beer, wine, and spirits
Stores that sell alcohol may be open for in-person shopping between 7 am and 8 pm at 25% capacity.
Delivery is permitted between 6 am and 9 pm.
Other stores that can offer in-person shopping
In-person shopping is allowed by appointment only at several retailers, including safety supply stores and those that sell prescription eyewear.
Stores that rent, lease, or repair vehicles and machinery may be open by appointment, as can businesses that primarily offer assistive devices, mobility aids, and medical devices,
Telecommunications providers and services can only offer appointments for cellphone sales, repairs, and technical support.
The aforementioned retailers can be open for sales between 7 am and 8 pm at 25% capacity and offer delivery between 6 am and 9 pm.
Non-essential retail stores
Non-essential retail stores can offer curbside pickup and delivery by appointment only.
Sales can be made between 7 am and 8 pm. Delivery can be offered from 6 am to 9 pm.
Restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments
Indoor and outdoor dining are prohibited. Food and drink establishments can only be open for delivery, take-out, and drive-through
Night clubs and strip clubs are only allowed to operate as food or drink establishments.
Sports and recreation
Outdoor recreational amenities, including parks, ski hills, golf courses, and outdoor driving ranges, can remain open.
Indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness facilities are not permitted to operate. Personal fitness and sports trainers are also prohibited.
Closed during Stay-at-Home order
Cinemas, performing arts facilities, casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments are prohibited under the Stay-at-Home order.
Meeting and event spaces and personal care services must also remain closed.
To date, Ontario has seen 374,112 COVID-19 cases and 7,494 virus-related deaths.
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