COVID-19 Update Regarding Provincial Restrictions

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The Ontario Government has announced that the province is now in a modified Step 2 of the Road map to Re-Open for at least 21 days.  

What this means for our hospitality industry? 

Indoor Dining

All indoor dining is closed. 

Outdoor Dining 

Outdoor service is permitted to continue at restaurants with restrictions in place, including: 

• Maximum 10 patrons per table, with limited exceptions (e.g., all members of the same household) 
•  Patrons who are dining must be seated at all times, with limited exceptions (e.g., using the washroom, paying) 
• Open only from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. (take-out, drive-through or delivery permitted at any time) 
• Businesses must record the name and contact information of every dine-in patron and actively screen dine-in patrons, with limited exceptions (e.g., quick service restaurants) 
• Outdoor dining area must have at least two full sides, or one full side and the roof, open to the outdoors and unobstructed 
• No patron dancing or singing 
• Liquor sold or served only from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; no consumption of liquor from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m.
• Maximum capacity must be posted 

A setting is considered to be outdoors if an outdoor area of the business or place is:

• Covered by a roof, canopy, tent, awning, or other element if at least two full sides of the area are open to the outdoors and not blocked by any walls or other impermeable physical barriers; or 
• Equipped with a retractable roof and the roof is retracted, at least one full side of the outdoor area is open to the outdoors and is not blocked by any walls or other impermeable barriers. 

Meeting & Event Spaces 

Indoor meeting and event spaces are closed with limited exceptions: 

Exceptions to use indoor meeting & event spaces: 

• Child care
• Social services
• Collective bargaining – 10 pp maximum
• Court cases
• Government operations
• Health sector operations 
• Mental health support services
• Examinations for professionals – listed in regulation 
• Entering for a perspective rental by appointment 

Casinos 

Closed 

Ontarian's are required to show proof of vaccination using their enhanced QR vaccine certificate at the following indoor settings:

• Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
• Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
• Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
• Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport; v
• NEW: Indoor areas of waterparks
• Sporting events;
• Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments;
• Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas;
• Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs;
• Racing venues (e.g., horse racing) 

For businesses: Businesses are required to use the Verify Ontario app that will scan QR codes and provide them with information needed to allow an individual to enter. 

* The app will only show the minimum amount of information to show if a person is vaccinated and will not share information or store information  

* This app is capable of scanning any QR code from patrons across Canada. 

Exemptions:

• Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering the business or organization for work purposes and not as patrons.
• A patron who is entering an indoor area solely for the following purposes: to use a washroom; to access an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route; to make a retail purchase; while placing or picking up an order, including placing a bet or picking up winnings in the case of a horse racing track; while paying for an order; to purchase admission; or as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety. All other public health measures (e.g., masking and physical distancing) continue to apply to patrons.
• Children under 12 years of age. If a child is accompanied by a parent, the parent must be vaccinated.
• Patrons under 18 years of age who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of actively participating in an organized sport. (I.e: training, practices, games and competitions. For example: sports leagues, pick-up sports, dance classes, martial arts, swimming. This exemption does not apply to spectators) Proof of vaccination is not required for workers or volunteers including coaches.
• Patrons who are entering the indoor premises solely for the purposes of attending a wedding service, rite or ceremony or a funeral service, rite or ceremony, but not an associated social gathering.
• Medical exemptions: Patrons with a medical exemption are required to present identification and a written document stating the individual is exempt for a medical reason to the business or organization. 

ORHMA has developed a Proof of Vaccination FAQ Guide for more information.