Premier Doug Ford announced a province-wide “shutdown” today, which is starting Dec. 26 and will last for at least 28 days in Southern Ontario and 14 in Northern Ontario.
Students will not be allowed back in class after the Christmas break. Starting Jan. 4, all students in Ontario elementary and secondary schools will have to switch to “teacher-led remote learning.”
Students will continue remote learning until at least Jan. 25 in the southern part of the province and at least Jan. 11 in the north for high school students.
Elementary school students in the north and south are expected to return to the classroom on Jan. 11.
The province’s current colour-coded framework is being “paused” and the new shutdown includes the following restrictions:
- No indoor organized public events or social gatherings except with members of the same household. Individuals who live alone may have exclusive close contact with one other household. Gathering limit is 10 people outdoors
- No in-person shopping at most retail settings, but curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping
- No indoor or outdoor dining. Restaurants, bars and food establishments can offer take out, drive-thru, and delivery only
- Weddings, funerals, and other religious ceremonies have a limit of 10 people indoors or 10 people outdoors, and physical distancing must be maintained
- In-person teaching will only be permitted for students when in-person instruction is required at post-secondary institutions
The province’s chief medical officer of health has advised Ontarians to stay home and limit trips outside the home to necessities such as food, medication, medical appointments, or supporting vulnerable community members.
Child care centres will remain open, but child day camps will close.
Malls, zoos and aquariums, amusement parks and water parks, tour and guide services, personal care services, casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments must close, and open houses for showing property are prohibited.
All indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness facilities must be closed except for facilities operated for the sole use of high-performance athletes.
Outdoor ice rinks and parks can remain open.
Community centres and multi-purpose facilities (like the YMCA) are permitted to be open for child care, mental health and addiction support services (limited to 10 people) and social services.
Ski hills in Ontario will be closed for the province-wide shutdown.
Libraries will be allowed to remain open for curbside pickup only. Museums must close.
Concert venues and theatres can be open for rehearsals (no more than 10 people) but cannot offer drive-in or drive-thru events.
Cannabis shops can offer curbside pickup or delivery.
Liquor and beer stores must limit occupancy and can offer curbside pickup or deliver.
