Ontario reveals list of some businesses allowed to reopen starting Monday

Ontario is allowing certain businesses and workplaces to reopen starting Monday under strict safety guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement Friday afternoon alongside Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

The province says the chief medical officer of health has provided general recommendations on how these businesses, mostly seasonal operations, can open while supporting safe operations, including strict adherence to health and safety requirements.

“We are allowing certain businesses to reopen under strict guidelines because we are confident they can operate safely and adapt to the current environment,” said Ford in a news release. “While further reductions in the spread are needed before we can begin reopening the province, we have the right framework and the right workplace guidelines in place to do so gradually and safely.”

The following businesses will be allowed to begin operations at 12:01 a.m. on Monday:

• Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only;
• Lawn care and landscaping;
• Additional essential construction projects that include:
  – shipping and logistics;
  – broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure;
  – any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services;
  municipal projects;
  – construction on colleges and universities;
  – construction on child care centres;
  – construction on 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;
• Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public.
• Marinas may also begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. Boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.

The province says 60 guidelines have been developed to help the employers make sure their workplaces can be reopened safely and ensure workers, customers, and the general public are protected.

Despite the announcement, the government is still advising people to stay home, practice physical distancing, and only go out for essential reasons.