Sector-Specific Business Guidelines for Reopening during COVID-19

Information about COVID-19 is fluid. Guidance from the federal and provincial governments changes often. Check this site regularly for up-to-date guidance and recommendations.

On Sept. 17, 2020, Niagara Regional Council extended the temporary face covering by-law (By-law 2020-46) to require residents to wear mandatory face coverings in enclosed public places, and on Regional and municipal transit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employers should refer to the sector-specific guidelines below to determine what types of preventive measures are appropriate for their workplace settings.

A face shield or plastic mouth shield is not a substitution for a face covering. Wearing a face / mouth shield alone doesn't meet the requirements of the Regional by-law. Learn more with our frequently asked questions.

Employers may refer to more sector-specific guidance provided by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and industry partners to determine what types of preventive measures may be appropriate for particular workplace settings.

Sectors

Child care facilities
Learn how Ontario will keep children, parents and staff safe as child care centres begin to reopen with strict health and safety protocols.

All child care providers must review the operational guidance document from the Ministry of Education to ensure the health and safety of children, parents and staff.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has sent a notification to child care centres reminding them of flushing and sampling requirements to help facilities ensure that the water is safe to drink before opening their buildings to staff and children. See Niagara's guide to flushing your facility.
For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7, then press 3 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.
Churches and other places of worship
As of June 12, 2020, all places of worship in Ontario will be permitted to open with physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers.

The maximum number of people allowed to attend gatherings indoor before or after religious services, rites or ceremonies, such as dinners and other gatherings, will increase to a maximum of 50 people. Physical distancing must be practised and public health advise must be followed.

If religious services, rites or ceremonies are performed outdoors then attendance is limited to 100 people. Physical distancing must be practised and public health advice must be followed.

Buffet-style food services are not permitted.

Read the list of additional Stage 3 restrictions.
Conservation reserves and provincial parks
The Ontario Government is gradually reopening some outdoor areas at national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Openings will differ depending on location. Learn about the reopening of conservation reserves and provincial parks.

At all times and for your safety, avoid all places, green spaces, day use areas and trails that are closed.
For more information, contact your local municipality.
Construction
Construction work is considered an essential service.
- Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
Dental offices
Facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities (gyms, fitness studios and community centres)
As of Aug.15, facilities for sport and recreation can have up to 50 patrons for each indoor sport or fitness room, while ensuring physical distancing of at least two metres.

The revised capacity limits are on a per room basis. They apply to the gymnasiums, health clubs, community centres, multi-purpose facilities, arenas, exercise studios, yoga and dance studios and other fitness facilities that can follow the new guidance. The change was enabled by amendments to the Stage 3 regulation. A new plan and guidance document applies a per room limit for sport and recreational fitness activities at facilities with the necessary space or layout.

Learn about all Stage 3 restrictions.
For more information, contact your local municipality.

Funeral homes
For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7, then press 3 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.
Golf courses
Golf courses and outdoor driving ranges can reopen if they follow provincial guidelines and public health measures.
For more information, contact your local municipality.
Hotels
Hotels, motels and other shared rental accommodations, including student residence amenities can reopen. However, all saunas, steam rooms, water parks, buffets, private karaoke rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars located in the hotel must remain closed in Stage 3. Learn about all Stage 3 restrictions.
Indoor recreation (casinos, bingo halls and charitable gaming establishments)
Facilities are permitted to reopen in Stage 3 with the following restrictions:
- Casinos and charitable gaming establishments must practise physical distancing and are limited to gatherings of 50 people maximum indoors and 100 people maximum outdoors. Staff don't count towards gathering limits.
- Any equipment being used by patrons, including slot machines and electronic gaming machines, must be cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary environment
- Table games must remain closed
Learn about all Stage 3 restrictions.

For more information, contact your local municipality.
Libraries
Libraries are permitted to reopen with restrictions in Stage 2. All onsite services may reopen as long as materials that are circulated, returned or accessed in the library are disinfected or quarantined before being recirculated in Stage 3. Learn about all Stage 3 restrictions.
- General public health measures for essential businesses
For more information, contact your local municipality.
Marinas, boat clubs and docking facilities
These facilities are considered an essential service as long as they follow provincial guidelines and public health measures.
For more information, contact your local municipality.
Medical services (physiotherapy, optometry, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment, etc.)
- List of essential workplaces
Contact your affiliated college / board / association for specific COVID-19 guidelines, and infection prevention and control requirements.
Office settings
For more information, contact your local municipality.
Outdoor recreation facilities (municipal parks, playgrounds, etc.)

Outdoor playgrounds and play structures are permitted to reopen in Stage 3. Physical distancing of at least two metres must be in place at all indoor playgrounds and play structures, except between individuals from the same household or social circle.

For more information, contact your local municipality.
Personal service settings (hairdressing, salons, tattooing, etc.)
Establishments providing personal care services with proper health and safety protocols in place were permitted to open in Stage 2. In addition to the services permitted in Stage 2, all services that tend to a customer's face, such as facials, ear piercing, eyebrow grooming and eyelash extensions are now permitted in Stage 3. Learn about all Stage 3 restrictions.
- Workplace Safety and Prevention Services Guidance on Health and Safety for Personal Services Settings during COVID-19
- Niagara Region COVID-19 Guidelines for Personal Service Settings
For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7, then press 3 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.
Professional meeting and event facilities
The following guidance provides basic information only and is meant for professional meeting and event facilities, including convention centres, hotels, motels, resorts, banquet halls and conference centres.
- Government of Ontario: Guidance for professional meeting and event facilities during COVID-19
- Niagara Region COVID-19: Guidance for special events (indoor and outdoor)
Real estate agents
The Ontario government has lifted the prohibition on open houses for all regions in Ontario, with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place.
Recreational water facilities (swimming pools, splash pads, wading pools, etc.)
Since recreational water facilities have been closed for more than four weeks, Ontario Regulation 565 requires owners / operators to notify Niagara Region Public Health about their intention to reopen at least 14 days prior to opening.

All pools, wading pools and splash pads require an opening inspection by a public health inspector before opening after the COVID-19 state of emergency closure. Request an inspection online.

Inspection staff are dealing with heavy workloads due to COVID-19 and will inspect your facility on a first come, first served basis.

Owners and operators that do choose to reopen their recreational water facilities, when permitted do so, should consider the water recreational facility recommendations from the province to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Recreational water operators should review Stage 3 restrictions to protect the health and safety of the public and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Lifesaving Society Guide to Reopening Aquatic Facilities After COVID-19 Closure
For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7, then press 3 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.
Restaurants, bars and food
Restaurants, bars, concession stands, and other food and drink establishments may open for indoor dining in Stage 3.

As of Sept. 26, 2020, restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments (including nightclubs):
- Must apply additional measures and restrictions by prohibiting the sale of alcohol after 11 p.m., and prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on the premises after midnight until 9 a.m. (including employees) and requiring establishments to close by midnight and remain closed until 5 a.m. except for takeout and delivery
- Close all strip clubs across the province
- Require businesses or organizations to comply with any advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on screening for COVID-19
- All patrons are required to be seated at all times, in both indoor and outdoor areas, with limited exceptions
- As of Aug. 21, 2020, bars and restaurants are required to record the name and contact information of at least one member of every party of patrons that enters an indoor or outdoor dining area in the establishment. They're required to keep the client records for a period of 30 days and to disclose the client records, if requested, to the medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to support case and contact tracing.
- Establishments must take appropriate measures to ensure physical distancing of at least two metres between patrons from different tables, unless separated by Plexiglas or some other impermeable barrier
- Buffet-style service is not yet permitted in Stage 3
- Singing or music may be performed by a person or group at the restaurant or bar, with restrictions, including barriers between the performers and patrons and physical distancing
- Dancing may only be performed by someone working at the establishment with restrictions
- Karaoke is permitted only outside of private karaoke rooms, which are not yet permitted to open in Stage 3, with restrictions including barriers, physical distancing and increased cleaning and disinfecting
- Physical distancing of two metres between patrons from different households or social circles also continues to apply to food trucks, food courts, concession stands and tours, including tastings at wineries, breweries and distilleries
Learn about all Stage 3 restrictions.
For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7, then press 3 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074
Retail (clothing, furniture, bookstores, pet groomers, sport stores, music stores)
All shopping centres, malls and markets are permitted to open. Stores in these facilities must follow the same guidance as those set out for other retail services. Learn about Stage 3 restrictions.

Businesses must follow provincial guidelines and public health measures.
For more information, contact your local municipality.
Seasonal campgrounds
Learn about the reopening of seasonal campgrounds in Stage 2.
For more information, contact your local municipality.
Schools, colleges and universities
Ontario elementary and secondary schools will open with the option of in-class or remote learning.
For Niagara specific reopening information or questions, visit reopening schools during COVID-19.

Post-secondary institutions

As of July 2, 2020, universities, colleges and applied arts and technology, private career colleges and other post-secondary institutions may be open for the purpose of in-person teaching and instruction for students that:
- Are enrolled in the institution, and;
- Would be eligible to graduate if they complete components of their program that can only be delivered through the in-person teaching and instruction
Information on the requirements for in-person teaching in Stage 3 can be found online.
Veterinarian and pet services
Veterinarians can perform other services in addition to emergencies.

Pet services, including grooming, sitting, walking, training, and services that train or provide service animals are permitted.

Boarding kennels and stables may allow owners to visit, help care for, or feed and ride their animals.
- Workplace Safety and Prevention Services Guidance on Health and Safety for Veterinary Services during COVID-19
- General public health measures for essential businesses
For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7, then press 3 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.
Zoos and animal exhibits

Zoos and animal exhibits are permitted to reopen with restrictions in Stage 2. In addition to the exhibits opened in Stage 2, high-contact surfaces such as interactive exhibits and displays may open in Stage 3. They must be cleaned and disinfected frequently.

All special events, instructional classes and performances at these locations must practise physical distancing and are limited to 50 people maximum indoors and 100 people maximum outdoors.

For more information, call the Info-Line at 905-688-8248 press 7, then press 3 or toll-free at 1-888-505-6074.

COVID-19

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