Ontario Government Implements Additional Measures for Re-Opening

0

TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, has amended orders under the Re-opening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, implementing additional measures for restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments, as the province carefully and gradually re-opens.

According to the new amendments, the following public-health measures must be implemented by restaurant operators in areas designated as Stage Two or Stage Three of Ontario’s Framework for Re-opening Our Province:

Effective July 31, 2020, patrons must be seated at all times in any area of the establishment in which food or drink is permitted except:

• while entering the area and while moving to their table
• while placing or picking up an order
• while paying for an order
• while exiting the area
• while going to or returning from a washroom
• while lining up to do anything described in one to five
• where necessary for the purposes of health and safety

Effective August 7, 2020, restaurants must:

• record the name and contact information of every patron who enters an indoor or outdoor dining area in the establishment, other than patrons who temporarily enter the area to place, pick up or pay for a takeout order
• maintain the records for a period of at least one month
• only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in that Act or as otherwise required by law

For more details on the amendments, click below:

O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage Three

O. Reg. 263/20: Rules for Areas in Stage Two

It remains critically important for everyone to continue following public-health advice as more businesses and services re-open in Stage Three. This includes practicing physical distancing with those outside your household or social circle, wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so, staying home when ill and washing your hands frequently and thoroughly.

Businesses must operate in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations made under it. For more information regarding re-opening in Stage Three, you can visit DineSafe.ca and the summary of Rules for Re-Opening in Stage 3.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.