FAQ's Regarding Ontario's New COVID-19 Restrictions

Donald - my hero

<font color=blue>Aww yes. The dreaded "mouse hand"
Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Just thought other people might be interested to see a copy of an email my hubby got from our local business centre "trying" to explain the new stay-at-home orders. Not wanting to start a debate about this whole issue just wanted to share what our city/county has been told 🤦‍♀️
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FAQ: New Covid-19 Regulations.
Following yesterday’s announcement, the Office of the Premier of Ontario wanted to provide the a summary of frequently asked questions regarding the stay-at-home orders.
Why is the province issuing a stay-at-home order while also permitting curb-side pickup?
This question assumes every single person in Ontario has easy access to online shopping or that there is a big-box retailer in their community. This isn’t the case for many Ontarians who live in rural and remote areas.
We’ve learned a lot over the past year responding to this pandemic, including the fact that what may be essential to someone in Timmins and how they buy that item may not be essential to someone in downtown Toronto, who can easily buy items online for delivery. The Government of Ontario determining what retailers may be considered essential risks cutting off many Ontarians who don’t live in Toronto or an urban centre from access to necessary goods.
What is an essential item?
The Government of Ontario cannot determine what is essential for every person in this province, each with their own unique circumstances and regional considerations. Legally defining what is essential risks cutting people off from goods that may legitimately be necessary for their health, well-being and safety.
What is an essential trip?
The Government of Ontario cannot determine what is essential for every person in this province, each with their own unique circumstances and regional considerations. That said, we have provided broad categories that people should consider before leaving their home: food, health-care services, including medication, exercise or work, where someone’s job cannot be done at home.
What is essential work?
The stay-at-home order does not define what work or jobs are essential. Rather, it now mandates that anyone who can work from home must now do so. For example, someone working in retail obviously can’t do their job from home and would be permitted to go to work.
Why hasn’t the province defined who can or should work from home?
The Government of Ontario cannot review tens of millions of job descriptions to determine who can work from home. As such, we are relying on the best judgment and common sense of employers to determine who can do so. If an employee believes they should be working from home, they can contact the Ministry of Labour to file a health and safety complaint.
Why can people still gather in groups of five outdoors?
The outdoor gathering limit of five is in recognition of the fact that some people live alone and may require the company or support of others for their mental and physical well-being. Anyone gathering outside is expected to adhere to physical distancing measures and are now strongly urged to wear a mask.
Can people leave home to exercise? Can I go to my local playground or basketball court?
Yes, exercise is considered an essential reason for leaving your home. What that means will be unique to each individual Ontarian: some may wish to go for a walk around the block, while others may wish to go to a local basketball court with their household to shoot some hoops.
We recommend that Ontarians consult their local public health unit or municipality to understand what recreational amenities are open in their community.
Can someone living alone still join up with another household?
Yes, they can exclusively join one other household. This is to support their mental health and well-being, as well as to ensure those requiring support continue to have access to essential caregivers.
Is there a time limit for how long people can leave their homes?
No. That said, we’re asking Ontarians to use their best judgement when leaving their home for essential reasons. They should limit the number of stores they go to and spend as little time outside of their home as possible.
Is there a limit on the number of times someone can leave their home in a day?
No. That said, we’re asking Ontarians to use their best judgement when leaving their home for essential reasons. They should limit the number of stores they go to and spend as little time outside of their home as possible.
Can people travel to their cottages or secondary residences?
Right now, we are asking people to stay home and only leave their home for essential purposes, which could include emergency maintenance of a secondary residence. In the spirit of the stay-at-home order, at this time we are not recommending intra-provincial travel.
The news release and link to the information on the Enhanced Public Health and Workplace Safety Measures:
https://files.ontario.ca/moh-enhanced-provincewide-shutdown-2021-01-12-v2.pdf.

We hope this information is helpful.
Thank you,
Business Centre Guelph-Wellington
 
I don't think it is much different if you are in the GTA. Just some re-branding. Oh and some people who have been going into work now get to work from home. DIL has been going into her office the last few months but now she will be working from home again.
 


My question is how is this different than the "lockdown" that was put in place on Dec. 26. Is there something I'm missing?
If you look at the official document the changes are in red, but as our city's business centre broke it down, as you mentioned, it doesn't look much different from what we've already been doing! I read a Facebook post from a doctor in our city who is very confused and frustrated because they don't see how this will help to alleviate the strain they are just starting to see AND we're one of the hospital's that are getting ICU COVID-19 patients from hospitals in the hot zones that are dangerously full :(

Again, not offering this up to spark a debate (even though i do get a tad sarcastic in my breakdown of the "new info below) just providing the information I have at hand

Official Document regarding stay at home order

Here's some of the "new" items

  • Work from Home Except Where Necessary Each person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall ensure that any person who performs work for the business or organization conducts their work remotely, with limited exception, for instance, where the nature of their work requires them to be on-site at the workplace.
  • Businesses that are open are expected to make sure that the public is " complying with face covering rules " which i guess is different than just having a sign, now they need to somehow enforce it?
  • Businesses that are (here's where it gets confusing!) still open but not really essential, for curbside pickup etc can now only be open from 7 am - 8 pm (not sure how this is terribly different?)
  • Liquour & beer outlets only 9 am - 8 pm
  • Curbside pickup can only happen if you order before you arrive (uhm, as opposed to showing up, knocking on the door and telling them what you want?)
  • Prearrange short term rental (ie hotel, airbnb etc) aren't allowed unless it's for housing requirements
  • Construction has a slew of changes/updates
  • this is one of my favourite changes (Sarcasm font engaged here!)No person is permitted to use an indoor or outdoor recreational amenity that is required to be closed but the list of what's allowed to be open is HUGE!
  • Can't go to the drive-in (uhm a tad cold anyway?!)
 



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