Sector-Specific Business Guidelines

On Dec. 21 the Government of Ontario announced a provincewide shutdown, which will be in effect from Dec. 26, 2020 to Jan. 23, 2021.

The shutdown is intended to help interrupt or slow community transmission, reduce mobility, and allow our health care and public health systems that are reaching critical limits to recover briefly and catch up.

The COVID-19 response framework is paused while the provincewide shutdown is in effect. The impacts of these time-limited measures will be evaluated throughout the 28 days in southern Ontario to determine if it's safe to lift any restrictions, or if they need to be extended.

Sectors

For all sectors, review the workplace safety measures and restrictions required of businesses and organizations during the provincewide shutdown. Additional guidance is provided below.

• Child care facilities
  • Niagara Region - Child care centres during COVID-19

  • Public Services Health and Safety Association guidance
  • Ministry of Health COVID-19 guidance for the health sector
  • COVID-19 cases in schools and child care centres

  For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248, press 7 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.

• Churches and other places of worship
  • General public health measures for essential businesses
  • Ministry of Health COVID-19 Advice: Religious Services, Rites or Ceremonies
  • Niagara Region COVID-19: Guidance for special events (indoor and outdoor)
• Cinemas

  For more information, contact your local municipality.

• Conservation reserves and provincial parks
  • Conservation and fisheries workers
  • Ontario Parks
  • Parks Canada

  For more information, contact your local municipality.

• Construction
  • Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
• Dental offices
  • Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
  • College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
  • Public Health Ontario
  • Province of Ontario Guidance to Prevent COVID-19 In the Workplace
• Facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities (gyms, fitness studios and community centres)
  • Government of Ontario: Guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities during COVID-19

  For more information, contact your local municipality.

• Funeral homes
  • Ministry of Health COVID-19 guidance for the health sector
  • Province of Ontario resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace
  • Bereavement Authority of Ontario
  • Government of Ontario: Guidance for professional meeting and event facilities during COVID-19
  • Niagara Region COVID-19: Guidance for special events (indoor and outdoor)

  For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.

• Hotels
  • General public health measures for essential businesses
  • Province of Ontario Guidance to Prevent COVID-19 In the Workplace
  • Government of Ontario: Guidance for professional meeting and event facilities during COVID-19
  • Niagara Region COVID-19: Guidance for special events (indoor and outdoor)
• Indoor recreation (casinos, bingo halls and charitable gaming establishments)

  For more information, contact your local municipality.

• Medical services (physiotherapy, optometry, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment, etc.)

  Contact your affiliated college / board / association for specific COVID-19 guidelines, and infection prevention and control requirements.

• Office settings
  • Province of Ontario Guidance to Prevent COVID-19 In the Workplace
  • General public health measures for essential businesses
  • Government of Ontario: Guidance for professional meeting and event facilities during COVID-19
  • Niagara Region COVID-19: Guidance for special events (indoor and outdoor)

  For more information, contact your local municipality.

• Outdoor recreation facilities (municipal parks, playgrounds, etc.)

  Outdoor playgrounds and play structures are open. Physical distancing of at least two metres must be in place at all indoor playgrounds and play structures, except between individuals from the same household.

  For more information, contact your local municipality.

• Performing arts facilities

  For more information, contact your local municipality.
• Personal service settings (hairdressing, salons, tattooing, etc.)
  • Niagara Region COVID-19 Guidelines for Personal Service Settings

  For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.

• Professional meeting and event facilities
  • Government of Ontario: Guidance for professional meeting and event facilities during COVID-19
  • Niagara Region COVID-19: Guidance for special events (indoor and outdoor)
• Recreational water facilities (swimming pools, wading pools, etc.)

  For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.

• Restaurants, bars and food or drink establishments
  • Notice for food premises
  • Province of Ontario Guidance to Prevent COVID-19 In the Workplace
  • Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development
  • Government of Ontario: Guidance for professional meeting and event facilities during COVID-19
  • Niagara Region COVID-19: Guidance for special events (indoor and outdoor)

  For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074

• Retail (clothing, furniture, bookstores, pet groomers, sport stores, music stores)
  • Province of Ontario Guidance to Prevent COVID-19 In the Workplace
  • General public health measures for essential businesses

  For more information, contact your local municipality.

• Seasonal campgrounds
  • Ontario Parks
  • Parks Canada

  For more information, contact your local municipality.

• Schools, colleges and universities

  The following approach will apply to publicly-funded and private elementary and secondary learning, with the exception of First Nation and federally-operated schools:

  • Elementary school students will participate in remote learning until Jan. 11
  • Secondary school students will participate in remote learning until Jan. 25
  • During the applicable period, schools will be closed, except for staff who are unable to deliver quality remote teaching, instruction or support to students from home

  More guidance

  • Government of Ontario - Guide to reopening Ontario's schools
  • Government of Ontario - Operational guidance: COVID-19 management in schools
  • Ministry of Health: Guidance Document for School Outbreak Management

  For Niagara-specific information or questions, visit schools during COVID-19.

  Post-secondary institutions

  • Brock University
  • Niagara College
• Zoos and animal exhibits

  For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.

COVID-19

Businesses

• Schools
• Child Care Centres
• Public Health Measures
• Business Guidelines
• Cleaning and Disinfecting
• Check Your Water System
• Resources