As COVID-19 cases doubled over the last few weeks, Ontario declared a second provincial emergency, imposed a stay-at-home order and announced new restrictions to limit the spread of the virus.
Ontario’s stay-at-home order requires everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for work that cannot be done remotely. All businesses must ensure that employees that can work from home, does work from home.
These new restrictions come into effect between Wednesday, January 13 and Thursday, January 14:
- Outdoor public gatherings and social gatherings are restricted to a limit of five people.
- Wearing masks outdoors is recommended when you can’t physically distance more than two metres.
- All non-essential retail stores (such as hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery) can only open between the hours of 7 am and 8 pm. This restricted hours of operation does not apply to stores that sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants providing takeout or delivery.
- Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.
- There will not be in-person instruction until February 10 for the following public health units: Toronto, York, Peel Region, Hamilton, Windsor-Essex.
- The Ministry of Education will decide by January 20, which public health units will be permitted to resume in-person instruction.
For more information about the restrictions and enforcement measures, visit Ontario’s news release.
Construction Projects Deemed Essential
The Ontario government has updated the list of construction projects deemed essential. This list includes:
- Construction projects and services associated with the health care sector and long-term care, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space.
- Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of, or to provide new capacity in, provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy, mining and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance.
- Construction projects and services that support the operations of, and provide new capacity in schools, colleges, universities, municipal infrastructure and childcare centres within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
- Construction projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
- Construction projects and services that support the operations of Broadband internet and cellular technologies and services.
- Critical industrial construction activities required for,
- the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries,
- significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work has already commenced,
- industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance, and/or enhancement of Personal Protective Equipment, medical devices (such as ventilators), and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Construction projects that are due to be completed before July 2021 and that would provide additional capacity in the production, processing, manufacturing or distribution of food, beverages or agricultural products.
- Construction projects that were commenced before January 12, 2021, and that would,
- provide additional capacity for businesses that provide logistical support, distribution services, warehousing, storage or shipping and delivery services, or
- provide additional capacity in the operation and delivery of information technology services or telecommunications services.
- Residential construction projects where,
- a footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes
- the project is a condominium, mixed use or other residential building, or
- the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before January 12, 2021.
- Construction to prepare a site for an institutional, commercial, industrial or residential development, including any necessary excavation, grading, roads or utilities infrastructure.
- Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active and to ensure ongoing public safety.
- Below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects, such as apartments and condominiums.
- Construction on any project intended to provide either,
- affordable housing, or
- shelter or supports for vulnerable persons,
- If the project (described in a or b above) is being funded in whole or in part by, or is being undertaken by, any of the following:
- the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario,
- an agency of the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario,
- a municipality,
- a service manager as defined in the Housing Services Act, 2011, or
- a registered charity and not for profit within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
It is imperative that employers and workers take further precautions while working on site. IUPAT members can find a more complete list of health and safety practices here.
For any workplace health and safety concerns, we urge our members to contact their local area IUPAT Business Representative immediately. We will continue to monitor the situation, keep our members informed and take the necessary steps to ensure the ongoing health and safety of our members.
