Information for Specific Sectors

• At STEP THREE, indoor dining is permitted. Self-serve buffets can also resume.
• Businesses shall require each patron who enters the areas listed below, to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as identification, in order to access the facility.
  • Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments without dance facilities.
  • Indoor and outdoor areas of food or drink establishments with dance facilities, including nightclubs and restaurants, clubs and other similar establishments.
• Restaurants and bars are limited in their capacity. The total number of patrons permitted to be seated at the establishment must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from every other person at the establishment. A sign indicating the maximum capacity must be posted.
  • Where dance facilities are provided indoors, the total number of patrons permitted to be in the establishment at one time may not exceed 25% capacity, (calculated by taking 25% of the maximum occupant load of the facility), or 250 patrons, whichever is less.
  • Where dance facilities are provided outdoors, the total number of patrons permitted to be at the establishment at one time may not exceed 75% capacity, (calculated by taking the total square metres of area accessible to the public, dividing that number by 1.33) or 5,000 patrons, whichever is less.
  • These capacity limits apply during times when patrons are permitted to make use of dance facilities. 
  • Note: Dancing is not permitted at food premises that do not provide dance facilities.
• There is no limit to the number of patrons that can be seated together at the same table, even if they are from different households. 
• Indoor and outdoor dining areas must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by a distance of at least 2 metres or by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier. NOTE: This distance MUST be measured between chair backs – not tables.
• Operators must ensure that patrons waiting in line maintain a 2 metre distance between groups, both inside and outside of the establishment. 
• Active screening of dine-in patrons is required (those staying to eat AT the establishment) using the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Patrons).*
• The name and contact information of every patron that enters a dining area in the establishment must be recorded*, unless they temporarily enter to place, pick up or pay for a takeout order. To preserve privacy, each patron log sheet should capture the patron contact information of ONE table. Maintain the records for a period of at least 30 days and only disclose them to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law. TBDHU has created a sample patron log sheet for operators.
• Employees are required to wear masks/face coverings when they are within 2 metres of another person (patron or staff), both indoors and outdoors.
• Patrons are required to wear masks/face coverings indoors any time they are not seated, unless exempt.
• Patrons are required to wear masks/face coverings outdoors when they are not consuming food or drinks or when they are not seated, even while dancing, unless exempt.
• Employees MUST wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes a medical-grade mask and eye protection when they are indoors and cannot maintain at least 2 metres physical distance from any person who is not wearing a mask and they are not separated by plexiglass or other impermeable barrier.
• A COVID-19 safety plan is required to be prepared and posted.

* Note: Active screening and recorded logs of dine-in patrons are not required at food premises located within airports, hospitals, or other workplaces where the only patrons permitted at the establishment are persons who perform work for the business or place in which the establishment is located, or where dine-in patrons order their food at a counter, food bar, or cafeteria line (i.e. at a fast-food establishment).

For more details, see the Guidance for Food Premises resource **Currently Being Updated**.

• Capacity is limited to the number of patrons that can safely maintain a physical distance of 2 metres.
• Stores must post a visible sign indicating their capacity limit.
• Stores in shopping malls are permitted to open, however the number of members of the public in the shopping mall at any one time must not exceed the total capacity determined by taking the sum of the capacities of every business in the mall.
• Patrons who enter the shopping mall must not be permitted to loiter in any area.
• Masks/face coverings and 2 metres of physical distance are required at all times.
• A COVID-19 safety plan is required to be prepared and posted.
• Retail businesses should ensure that the patron screening poster is in place at public entrances.

• Personal service settings are permitted to open and services that require the removal of a mask/face covering are allowed. Oxygen bars must be closed.
• Capacity is limited to the number of patrons that can safely maintain a physical distance of 2 metres.
• A visible sign must be posted indicating the capacity limit.
• Appointments are required.
• Persons who provide personal care services in the business must wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Active screening of clients is required using the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Patrons).
• A COVID-19 safety plan is required to be prepared and posted.

For more information, see the Guidance for Personal Service Settings resource.

There are special considerations for worksites that provide communal living arrangements for staff, such as mines in remote locations:

• Infection prevention and control measures should be followed. All workers and essential visitors should be instructed to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and inform their supervisor as soon as they begin to feel unwell.  Workers and essential visitors should be screened at the start and end of each shift.
• Instruct staff who answer YES to any screening questions to go home, self-isolate immediately and call the Assessment Centre nearest them or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
• When it is not possible for staff experiencing symptoms to go home, immediately place them away from others and call TBDHU for further direction.  Be prepared to support staff to access testing and safely self-isolate.
• Wherever possible, provide separate rooms, units or an alternate shelter location for the purpose of self-isolation. Ideally, this location would also have a separate washroom.
• Encourage staff in self-isolation to keep a 2 metre distance from others and to wear a mask (especially in indoor public settings and public transportation). Ensure staff are educated on the proper use of masks and have access to clean masks.
• If separate isolation rooms are not possible, mitigate risk of transmission through other means (e.g. group isolation in a separate room or floor, spacing and placement of beds or furnishings, temporary physical barriers between beds, frequent cleaning and disinfection routines). Open windows to increase ventilation.

Information for health care workers can be found on the following websites:

• COVID-19 for Health Care Providers - TBDHU
• COVID-19 Orders, Directives, Memorandums and Other Resources - Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care
• COVID-19 Guidance for the Health Care Sector - Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care
• COVID-19 Resource Centre - Public Services Health and Safety Association

The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario has released guidelines for dentists: COVID-19: Managing Infection Risks During In-Person Care.

Public Services Health and Safety Association has released Health and Safety Guidance during COVID-19 for Dental Offices.

Schools

• Please visit the Safe Return page for current information and resources.

Child Care

• Please visit the Child Care Centres page for current information and resources.

Camps for Children

• Day camps are permitted subject to the COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Day Camps from the Ontario Ministry of Health.
• Overnight camps are permitted subject to the COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Overnight Camps from the Ontario Ministry of Health.
• See the Public Health Ontario Day and Overnight Camps webpage for helpful information and resources.
• A list of Mental Health Resources for Camp Operators is available from the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities are permitted to open, with the following restrictions in place:

• Proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is required for patrons and anyone aged 12 and older coaching, officiating, or volunteering at indoor organized sports to enter indoor areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, including waterparks, and personal physical fitness training with limited exemptions. For details, see the Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine Certificates and Public Health Instructions for Owners/Operators of Indoor Sports Facilities pages.
• Indoor sport and recreation facilities are permitted to open at 50% capacity, with spectators permitted at 100% capacity and other restrictions.
• Outdoor sport and recreation facilities are permitted to open at 100% spectator capacity.
• Indoor fitness classes and personal training are permitted, with maximum capacity of 50% and other restrictions.
• Indoor and outdoor pools, splash pads, spray pads, whirlpools, wading pools and water slides are permitted to open.
• Indoor pools are limited to 50% capacity and other restrictions.
• Other restrictions apply. Please refer to Ontario Regulation 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 for details. 

Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments are permitted to open with restrictions:

• Capacity is limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from others, and may not exceed 50% of maximum occupancy.
• A sign must be posted in a visible location to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment can operate.
• Patrons are not permitted to loiter or congregate at or around any of the tables where games are played.
• Patrons must be separated from table game employees by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
• Active screening of patrons is required before they enter the establishment.
• The name and contact information of every patron that enters the establishment must be recorded, with records maintained for least one month, and only disclosed public health. 
• Any general requirements for cleaning at the establishment apply with respect to chips, cards, dice, card holders and other table game equipment.
• A COVID-19 safety plan must be prepared and posted.
• Other restrictions apply. Please refer to Ontario Regulation 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 for details. 

• The number of attendees at an outdoor seated concert, event, performance or movie must not exceed 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity, or 30,000 persons, whichever is less.
• The number of attendees in the outdoor area of the concert, event, performance or movie must not exceed 75 per cent capacity, or 15,000 persons, whichever is less.
• The number of attendees at an indoor seated concert, event, performance or movie must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity, or 10,000 persons, whichever is less.
• A sign must be posted in a location visible to the public that states capacity limits. 
• Attendees at an outdoor concert, event, performance or movie must wear a mask or face covering that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless exempt. They must be seated with members of their own household only, and at least two metres from every person outside their household. Masking and physical distancing requirements also apply at indoor events.
• Attendees must have a reservation to attend a seated concert, event, performance or movie.
• At drive-in/drive-through events, each vehicle must be parked at least 2 metres from all other vehicles.
• A COVID-19 safety plan must be prepared and posted.
• Other restrictions apply. Please refer to Ontario Regulation 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 for details.