COVID-19 Response Framework: The EOHU region is currently at the YELLOW-PROTECT level

COVID-19 Response Framework: Public Health Measures and Restrictions for the EOHU Region

Based on the latest local COVID-19 data, the province has determined that as of November 23, 2020 the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) region is at the YELLOW-PROTECT level in the COVID-19 Response Framework.

The Ontario government has developed a new framework for targeted public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19: COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open. The framework serves as an early warning system that allows for scaling up and scaling back public health restrictions on a regional or community basis in response to surges and waves of COVID-19.

The framework categorizes public health unit regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Lockdown being a measure of last and urgent resort. Each level outlines the types of public health and workplace safety measures required for businesses and organizations. These include targeted measures for specific sectors, institutions and other settings.

Each public health unit is classified according to the framework indicators. Final decisions on classification of public health unit regions are made by the government based on updated data and in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, local medical officers of health and other health experts, and will be reviewed weekly.

For more information on provincial regulations for reopening businesses, services and public spaces, see the Government of Ontario’s Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 17.

YELLOW - PROTECT
Public Health Measures and Indicators
Effective as of November 23, 2020 at 12:01 AM

Public Health Measures

Regions in the Yellow-Protect category will have strengthened public health measures that include additional measures for high-risk settings, as well as enhanced targeted enforcement, fines, and education to limit further transmission of COVID-19.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, individuals and families should also follow Public Health Advice. 

General Public Health Measures for All Sectors

  • Businesses or organizations must operate in compliance with the advice, recommendations, and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning/disinfecting, and screening individuals:
  • Face coverings must be worn by members of the public and workers in indoor public places and workplaces, with limited exemptions
  • Personal protective equipment that provides protection of the eyes, nose, and mouth, is required if a worker is required to come within 2 metres of another person who is not wearing a face covering.
  • All businesses or facilities must limit capacity so that every member of the public is able to maintain two metres of physical distancing from every other person.
    • Some businesses or facilities have additional capacity restrictions. Where additional capacity restrictions are in place, it is noted in subsequent sections.
  • Businesses or places that are open must ensure that equipment, washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms, showers that are accessible to the public are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition.
  • Safety plan required for higher risk settings.

Limits for Organized Public Events, Social Gatherings, and Religious Services, Rites and Ceremonies

  • Limits*, where physical distancing can be maintained:
    • For functions, parties, dinners, social gatherings, BBQs, or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, or parks:
      • 10 people indoors
      • 25 people outdoors
    • For organized public events and gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities:
      • 50 people indoors
      • 100 people outdoors
    • For weddings, funerals and other religious services, rites or ceremonies:
      • 30% capacity indoors
      • 100 people outdoors

     * Limits do not include staff or volunteers

Measures for Restaurants, Bars and Food or Drink Establishments

  • Face coverings are required except when eating or drinking only
  • Require patrons to be seated; 2 metres minimum between tables or impermeable barrier required between tables
  • Limit of 6 people may be seated together
  • Require contact information for all seated patrons
  • Patrons are not to wander around except for the reasons permitted under the regulations
  • Food is to be consumed only when clients are seated
  • No buffet style service
  • Self-service (coffee, slush, etc.) is not permitted
  • No other activities may take place in a food premises, such as playing pool, etc.
  • Dancing, singing and performing music is permitted, with restrictions
  • Karaoke permitted, with restrictions (including no private rooms)
  • Night clubs only permitted to operate as restaurant or bar
  • Line-ups/patrons congregating outside venues managed by venue; 2 metres distance and face covering required
  • Personal protective equipment, including eye protection required when a worker must come within 2 metres of another person who is not wearing a face covering
  • Establishments must be closed from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 12 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Limit volume of music to be low enough that a normal conversation is possible
  • Safety plan required to be prepared and made available upon request

Measures for Sports and Recreational Fitness

  • Capacity limits (limits do not include staff/volunteers):
    • 50 people indoors
    • 100 people outdoors
    •  50 people indoors (in areas with weights or exercise equipment)
    • 10 people per room indoors and 25 per area outdoors in fitness or exercise classes (applies to indoor facilities used for exercise or fitness activities, including gymnasiums, health clubs, community centers, multi-purpose facilities, exercise studios, yoga, dance studios, martial arts dojos, and other indoor fitness facilities)
    • Spectators allowed (50 indoors and 100 outdoors)
    • Capacity limites applied on a per room basis if operating in compliance with a plan approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (Guidance for Facilities for Sport and Recreational Activities During COVID-19)
  • Every person must maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from every other person unless they are engaged in a sport
  • Increase spacing between patrons to 3 metres for areas of a sport or recreational facility where there are weights/weight machines and exercise/fitness classes
  • Team or individual sports must be modified to avoid physical contact; 50 people per league
  • Limit volume of music to conversation level and prevent shouting by both instructors and members of the public
  • Face coverings required except when exercising
  • Require contact information from all patrons
  • Require reservations for entry; one reservation for teams
  • Safety plan required to be prepared and made available upon request
  • For additional information and guidance that applies to sports and recreational fitness, consult the EOHU website section on Sport, Recreation and Fitness.

Measures for Meeting and Event Spaces

  • Capacity limits (limits do not include staff/volunteers):
    •  50 people indoors
    • 100 people outdoors
      *exceptions for court and government services, weddings, funerals and religious services, rites or ceremonies.
    • Indoors: 50 persons per room, where physical distancing can be maintained if venue operates in accordance with the approved plan from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (Guidance for Meeting and Event Facilities During COVID-19)
  • Booking multiple rooms for the same event not permitted
  • Establishments must be closed from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 12 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Require contact information for all seated patrons
  • Limit of 6 people may be seated together
  • Limit volume of music to be low enough that a normal conversation is possible
  • Safety plan required to be prepared and made available upon request

Measures for Retail

  • Fitting rooms must be limited to nonadjacent stalls
  • Line-ups/patrons congregating outside venues managed by venue; 2 metres distance and face covering required
  • Limit volume of music (to be no louder than the volume of a normal conversation)
  • For malls, a safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request

Measures for Personal Care Services

  • Persons who provide services must wear appropriate PPE
  • Masks must be worn except for receiving services that tend to an area of the face that a mask would cover
  • Oxygen bars, steam rooms, saunas, and whirlpools closed
  • Require contact information from all patrons
  • Safety plan required to be prepared and made available upon request
  • For additional measures that apply to personal service settings, please consult the guidance document for personal service settings
  • For additional public health measures that apply to the EOHU region, please see: Additional Public Health Measures for All Sectors

Measures for Casinos, Bingo Halls and Gaming Establishments

  • Capacity cannot exceed 50 persons (does not include staff/volunteers)
  • Table games are prohibited
  • Casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments can operate in accordance with a plan approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 12 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Require contact information from all patrons
  • Safety plan required to be prepared and made available upon request

Measures for Cinemas

  • Capacity limits in facility/area (limits do not include staff):
    • 50 people indoors
    • 100 poeple outdoors
    • 50 people indoors per auditorium if cinema operates in accordance with the approved plan from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (Guidance for Movie Theatres During COVID-19)
  • Face coverings except when eating or drinking only
  • Drive-in cinemas permitted to operate, subject to restrictions
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 12 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Require contact information from all patrons
  • Safety plan required to be prepared and made available upon request

Measures for Performing Arts Facilities

  • Capacity limits in facility with 2 metres physical distance maintained (limits do not include staff):
    • 50 spectators indoors
    • 100 spectators outdoors
  • Singers and players of wind or brass instruments must be separated from spectators by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier
  • Rehearsal or performing a recorded or broadcasted event permitted
  • Performers and employees must maintain 2 metres physical distance except for purposes of the performance
  • Drive-in performances permitted
  • Liquor sold or served only between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 12 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Require contact information from all patrons
  • Safety plan required to be prepared and made available upon request

Indicators Used to Establish Public Health Measures

Public health measures are based on specific indicators. Regions in the Yellow-Protect category have the following indicators:

Epidemiology

  • Weekly incidence rate is 10 to 24.9 per 100,000
  • % positivity is 0.5-1.2%
  • Rt is approximately 1
  • Repeated outbreaks in multiple sectors/settings OR increasing # of large outbreaks
  • Level of community transmission/non-epi linked cases stable or increasing

Health System Capacity

  • Hospital and ICU capacity adequate

PH System Capacity

  • Case and contact follow up within 24 hours adequate
Eastern Ontatio Health Unit / Bureau de santé de l'Ontario