Province announces dates for more Ontario businesses to begin reopening

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Published May 6, 2020 at 6:34 pm

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“We haven’t been sitting on our hands,” said Premier Doug Ford in an announcement today on the province’s plan to reopen more of the economy and get people back to work.

The Ontario government says it will be allowing all retail stores with a street entrance to provide curbside pickup and delivery, as well as in-store payment and purchases at certain businesses.

The current framework is as follows:

Friday, May 8: Garden centres and nurseries will be able to open for in-store payment and purchases, operating under the same guidelines as grocery stores and pharmacies.

Saturday, May 9: Hardware stores and safety supply stores will be permitted to open for in-store payment and purchases.

Monday, May 11: Retail stores with a street entrance can begin offering curbside pickup and delivery, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s Guidance Document for Essential Workplaces and occupational health and safety requirements.

“Whether it’s releasing our framework for reopening or putting in place the workplace safety guidelines needed to help businesses adapt to the new environment, we’ve been laying the groundwork for the safe, measured, and gradual reopening of our province,” said Ford.

Additionally, the government says it’s expanding essential construction to allow below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects like apartments and condominiums to begin, and existing above-grade projects to continue.

“This will help clear the way for the housing and jobs our economy will need to support economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak,” according to a statement from the province.

Businesses are reminded that they must follow public health measures and should review the workplace safety guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as promoting physical distancing and frequent handwashing, sanitizing surfaces, installing physical barriers, staggering shifts, and using contactless payment options.

“The health and safety of every Ontarian will always be our top priority as we continue planning for the next phase of our fight against COVID-19,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

“More than ever, we need to continue practicing physical distancing while we slowly and carefully reopen Ontario’s economy.”

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