Ontario to allow reopening of select businesses with strict safety guidelines

#Ontario; #SmallBusinessesToReopen; #Health&SafetyGuidelines; #Covid19Outbreak

Ottawa, May 1 (Canadian-Media): An announcement was made by the Ontario government that it is allowing some workplaces to reopen on Monday provided they follow strict public health and safety measures during the COVID-19 outbreak, media reports said.

The businesses that will be allowed to start up again include seasonal businesses and some essential construction projects.

Premier Doug Ford said in a statement that he was confident these businesses can operate safely and adapt to the current environment and added that Ontario has the right framework and the right workplace guidelines in place to do so gradually and safely.

Doug Ford. Image credit: Twitter Handle

The businesses that would be able to begin operating on May 4 at 12:01 a.m. are: Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pickup and delivery only; Lawn care and landscaping; Essential construction projects including shipping and logistics; broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure; municipal projects; colleges and universities; child care centres; schools; and site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development; Automatic and self-serve car washes; auto dealerships, open by appointment only; Preparation of the Golf courses can be started for the upcoming season, but not open to the public; Preparation of Marinas for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. 

The province also noted in its news release that it is critical that people continue to stay home, practice physical distancing, and only go out for essential reasons.

Ford said Friday that at least two weeks should be allowed before more restrictions are loosened.

"As we begin planning for the next phase of our fight against COVID-19, Ontarians should continue to stay home as much as possible to ensure we stop as quickly as possible the spread of this virus," Health Minister Christine Elliott said in a statement. 

We are allowing certain businesses to safely reopen as long as they comply with strict public health guidelines. As we begin planning for the next phase of our fight against #COVID19, Ontarians should continue to stay home as much as possible. Here's today's update: pic.twitter.com/Ftd2sHZham

— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) May 1, 2020