Covid-19 Bulletin No.41: Ontario's New Reopening Plan

Updated on May 21, 2021

Yesterday, the Ontario government announced its new COVID Response Roadmap to re-opening Ontario. The government has moved from a colour-coded framework to a brand-new sector approach. Specifically, the re-opening will be completed over three (3) stages. Ontario will stay in each stage for at least twenty-one (21) days. The timing of when we will move into the next stage will be dependant on Ontario’s vaccination percentage rate.

All existing “Emergency Breaks” and Shutdown restrictions will remain in place and will continue to apply until we enter Stage 1, which is expected to occur on June 14^th 2021. Until then, the current restrictions remain in place.

What is allowed as of May 22, 2021?

Before Ontario enters Stage 1, Ontario will allow, as of this Saturday, May 22, 2021:

• Outdoor gathering limits will be expanded to five (5) people, including members of different households; and
• The reopening of some outdoor recreational amenities, including golf courses, tennis courts, skateboarding parks, sports fields, and other similar facilities.

Based on the limited information provided, it is recommended that all exterior amenities, including pools, common patios, rooftop terraces, communal BBQs, etc., remain closed.

Stage 1 (as early as June 14, 2021)

Ontario will enter Stage 1 when at least 60% of adults have been vaccinated with one dose. Under Stage 1, the Province will allow the following activities:

• Outdoors gatherings of up to ten (10) people;
• Outdoor pools, splash pads and wading pools with capacity limited to ensure a minimum of two (2) metres physical distancing;
• Indoor and outdoor recreational amenities (including fitness rooms) are to remain closed except for high performance athletes and other exceptions that do not apply to condos;
• Outdoor fitness classes, personal training and sports training of up to ten (10) people;
• Non-essential stores may open with a limited capacity of 15%;
• Short-term rentals will be able to resume;
• All construction projects can proceed; and
• Lawn care and landscaping services can proceed.

Stage 2 (approx. July 5, 2021)

Ontario will enter Stage 2 when at least 70% of adults have been vaccinated with one dose and at least 20% are fully vaccinated. Under Stage 2, the Province will allow the following activities:

• All that is allowed under Stage 1, plus the following:
  • Outdoor gatherings of up to twenty-five (25) people;
  • Indoor gatherings of up to five (5) people; and
  • Personal care services may resume.

Stage 3 (approx. July 26, 2021)

Ontario will enter Stage 3 when 70-80% of adults have been vaccinated with one dose and 25% have been fully vaccinated. Under Stage 3, the Province will allow the following activities:

• All that is allowed under Stage 1 and Stage 2 plus the following:
  • Outdoor and indoor gatherings with larger capacity limits;
  • Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities with limited capacity; and
  • Indoor pools, splash pads, spray pads, whirlpools, wading pools and water slides can open providing there is a minimum of 2m physical distancing.

Vaccine update

The Ontario government is ramping up the vaccine rollout in Ontario. As of May 18, 2021, all Ontario residents over the age of 18 are able to book a COVID-19 vaccine. This is one week ahead of the Province’s initial roll-out schedule.

Individuals can use the Provincial booking system to book their vaccine appointment. The Province announced that it will open eligibility to children aged 12 to 17 for the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine by May 31, 2021, with the goal to have all youth fully vaccinated by the end of August 2021. York Region is slightly ahead of schedule and as of May 21, 2021, York Region has opened appointments for children aged 12 and older who live, work, or go to school in the Region.

Please refer to our previous COVID-19 Bulletins on proper protocols and procedures to be implemented and followed by condominium corporations.

Please also ensure that you speak with your legal counsel if you do not already have COVID-19 protocols and policies in place to help manage the risk of transmission of the virus within your condominium community and require assistance with respect to drafting and/or implementing the same.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact anyone on our team:

All of the information contained in this article is of a general nature for informational purposes only, and is not intended to represent the definitive opinion of the firm of Elia Associates on any particular matter. Although every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this article is accurate and up-to-date, the reader should not act upon it without obtaining appropriate professional advice and assistance.

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