Retailers gradually reopen
Since 12:01 a.m. today, the province has begun to ease certain restrictions for retailers:
- Friday May 8: garden centres and nurseries are able to open for in-store payment and purchases, operating under the same guidelines as grocery stores and pharmacies.
- Saturday May 9 at 12:01 a.m.: Hardware stores and safety supply stores will be permitted to open for in-store payment and purchases .
- Monday, May 11 at 12:01 a.m.: Retail stores with a street entrance can begin offering curbside pickup and delivery, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s Guidance Document for Essential Workplaces and occupational health and safety requirements.
In addition to easing restrictions on retail, the government is also expanding essential construction to allow below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects like apartments and condominiums to begin and existing above-grade projects to continue. This will help clear the way for the housing and jobs our economy will need to support economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Businesses must follow public health measures and should review the workplace safety guidelines, such as promoting physical distancing and frequent handwashing, sanitizing surfaces, installing physical barriers, staggering shifts, and using contactless payment options to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Premier changes tune on cottagers
According to media sources, earlier this week Premier Doug Ford suggested Ontarians could go to their cottages on the May 24 long weekend, as long as they observed advice regarding social distancing, limited gatherings to no more than five people, and brought their own supplies from home as much as possible to avoid negative impact on local services. He discouraged day trips unless it was just to check on a cottage.
Yesterday, however, following a telephone conference with cottage country mayors, Ford issued new advice saying, “Cottage country residents are known for their hospitality and normally they would be welcoming tourists with open arms right now. This year, however, they are asking visitors to help them fight the spread of COVID-19 and hold off travelling to these regions. I know Ontarians are eager to enjoy the great outdoors, but there will be plenty of long weekends to come.”
Media sources also report that Ford’s office confirmed today that despite his warnings to Ontarians to stay home during the Easter long weekend, Ford himself had visited his Muskoka cottage. They pointed out that the Premier drove directly to and from the family cottage alone, and did not stop or interact with anyone else while en route. He was there for about an hour on Easter Sunday to check on the plumbing.
Photo: Office of the Premier
Yelich,I.(2020,May6) Ontario Further Eases Restrictions on Retail Stores and Essential Construction During COVID-19 [media release]
