Ontario releases list of essential businesses that can remain open amid COVID-19 outbreak

#Ontario; #ListofEssentialServices; #NonEssentialServicesToClose; #COVID19Pandemic

Ottawa, Mar 24 (Canadian-Media): Closure of all non-essential sores and services at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday had been ordered by Ontario Premier Doug Ford  in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, media reports said.

Doug Ford. Image credit: Twitter handle

List of Essential Workplaces as qualified by Ontario government include the following:

Supply chains' systems or services, including processing, packaging, distribution, delivery and maintenance necessary to operate.

Retail and Wholesaling of pet food and supplies, and household consumer products required to maintain the health and safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences and businesses, including grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, markets and other similar retailers, beer, wine and liquor stores and alcohol producers, cannabis stores and cannabis producers,   Gas stations, diesel, propane and heating fuel providers including providers of motor vehicle, aircraft and water/marine craft fuels,  Motor vehicle, auto-supply, auto and motor-vehicle-repair, including bicycle repair, aircraft repair, heavy equipment repair, watercraft/marine craft repairs, car and truck dealerships and related facilities, hardware stores, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical services, including pharmacies and dispensaries, businesses that supply office products and services, including providing computer products and related repair and maintenance services, for individuals working from home and for essential businesses, and safety supply stores (for e.g. work clothes, personal protective equipment).

Food Services and Accommodations including restaurants and other food facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or takeaway, hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities, including student residences. 

Institutional, Residential, Commercial and Industrial Maintenance.

Telecommunications and IT Infrastructure/Service Providers

Transportation, Manufacturing and Production including, Agriculture and food production including safe and effective waste management including deadstock, rendering, nutrient management, bio hazardous materials, green waste, packaging recycling;  Construction; Financial activities; Resources including global continuity of supply of mining materials and products, chemicals, forestry industry, critical infrastructure and petroleum.
Environmental Services

Utilities and Community Services including waste collection, portable drinking water, electricity generation,   Natural Gas distribution, transmission and storage, road construction and maintenance, police, fire, emergency services including coroner services and pathology services,  corrections and courts services; government services including licenses and permits, maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure. 
Communications Industries including newspaper publishers, radio & Television Broadcasting, and Telecommunications providers;

Research including maintenance research facilities and that provide products and services that support research activities

Health Care and Seniors Care and Social Services including home care services, retirement homes, long-term Care Facilities, independent health facilities, laboratories and specimen collection centres, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies, manufacturers, logistics and distributors of products and/or services that support the delivery of health care in all locations including mental health and addictions and counselling supports, selling, rent or repair assistive/mobility/medical devices, aids and/or supplies, provide personal support services, health care professionals providing emergency care including dentists optometrists and physio-therapists, not-for-profit organizations that provide critical personal support services in home and also provide residential services for individuals with physical disabilities (such as the Centre for Independent Living and March of Dimes), services to vulnerable, food banks, violence against women emergency shelters, homeless shelters, community housing, supportive housing, children's aid societies, residential services for adults with developmental disabilities and for children, and custody and detention programs for young persons in conflict with the law.

Justice Sector which includes Professional and social services that support the legal and justice systems. 

Other Businesses including rental and leasing services, including automobile, commercial and light industrial machinery and equipment rental, mailing, shipping, courier and delivery , services, including post office boxes, laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers, services of lawyers and para-legals, engineers, accountants, translators, services such as funeral, mortician, cremation, transfer, and burial services, land registration services, and real estate agent services and moving services, security services including private security guards, monitoring or surveillance equipment and services, staffing services, including temporary help, support of safe operations of residences and essential businesses; provision for the health and welfare of animals, including veterinarians, farms, boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters, zoos, aquariums, research facilities and other service providers; child care services for essential workers, and home child care services of less than six children; and provision of cheque cashing services.

Business Regulators and Inspectors including organizations such as administrative Authorities, that regulate and inspect businesses.
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