Ontario Enters into Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopening

The province entered Step 3 of the Roadmap on Friday, July 16, at 12:01 a.m. The Government has indicated that the province will remain in Step 3 for at least 21 days to evaluate any impacts on key public health indicators.

Liquor stores

Stores that sell liquor, including beer, wine and spirits may continue to open for in-person shopping. Permissible hours for the sale of liquor are 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Retail stores must ensure the total number of patrons permitted indoors is limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the establishment.  Capacity limits apply to members of the public only (i.e. shoppers) and do not take into account the employees of the store.
 
The permissible hours for delivery of liquor by a licensed liquor delivery service is 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Restaurants and bars and other food or drink establishments

Restaurants, bars, food trucks, concession stands and other food or drink establishments, including those located in a shopping mall, may open if they comply with the following conditions:

1.      The total number of patrons permitted to be seated at the establishment, whether indoors or outdoors, must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person at the establishment. 

2.      The establishment must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by, 

• a distance of at least two metres, or

• plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier. 

3.      The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.  

4.      The person responsible for the establishment must actively screen any dine-in patrons in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the establishment.

5.      The person responsible for the establishment must, 

• record the name and contact information of every patron that enters an area of the establishment, unless the patron temporarily enters the area to place, pick up or pay for a takeout order, 

• maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and 

• only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law. 

6.      No patron shall dance at the establishment.

The permissible hours of sale and service of liquor for consumption on licensed premises are 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
 
Takeout and delivery of liquor with food orders from an eligible liquor licensed establishment is permissible between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. 

All eligible liquor sales licensees (including Boat Operators and “By the Glass” licensees) may add or temporarily extend their licensed premises without an application to the AGCO provided they meet the relevant requirements. For more details on the Registrar’s 2021 Patio Policy, please see this Information Bulletin.

Live entertainment at bars and restaurants is permitted. Performers must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from any spectators or must be separated from any spectators by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.

Karaoke is permitted with restrictions.

If an outdoor dining area at the establishment is covered by a roof, canopy, tent, awning or other element, at least two full sides of the entire outdoor area must be open to the outdoors and must not be substantially blocked by any walls or other impermeable physical barriers.

If an outdoor dining area at the establishment is equipped with a retractable roof and the roof is retracted, at least one full side of the outdoor dining area must be open to the outdoors and must not be substantially blocked by any walls or other impermeable physical barriers.

Food or drink establishments with dance facilities

Food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs, restoclubs and other similar establishments, may open if they comply with the following conditions during any time when patrons are permitted to make use of the dance facilities: 

1.      In the case of an indoor establishment, the total number of members of the public permitted to be in the establishment at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the establishment and in any event may not exceed 25 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 ( 4) of Schedule 1 of the Regulation, or 250 persons, whichever is less.  

2.      In the case of an outdoor establishment, the total number of members of the public permitted to be at the establishment at any one time may not exceed 75 per cent capacity, as determined in accordance with subsection 3 (2) of Schedule 1 of the Regulation, or 5,000 persons, whichever is less. 

3.      The establishment must be configured so that patrons seated at different tables are separated by,  

•   a distance of at least two metres, or  

• plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.  

4.      Every patron in an outdoor establishment must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 ( 4) of Schedule 1 of the Regulation, or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.

5.      The person responsible for the establishment must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the establishment is permitted to operate.  

6.      The person responsible for the establishment must actively screen patrons in accordance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before they enter the premises of the establishment.  

7.      The person responsible for the establishment must,  

• record the name and contact information of every patron that enters an area of the establishment,  

•  maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and  

• only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.