Businesses have a responsibility to have procedures and policies in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
View Public Health safety measures and sector specific guidelines for your business or facility in the Province of Ontario’s reopening plan.
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Under the
Reopening Ontario Act, the use of masks or face coverings is mandatory in all public indoor settings across Ontario, such as businesses, facilities, workplaces, and the common areas of apartment buildings, condominiums, and shelters, with limited exemptions.
Wearing a mask or face covering is also mandatory in a vehicle that is operated as part of a business or organization. Read the Reopening of Ontario Act
regulations for full details about mandatory masks or face coverings.
A significant number of
regulations
have been passed by the Government of Ontario under the Reopening Ontario Act to limit or reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In addition, York Region’s Medical Officer of Health has the power under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to order individual people or businesses, or certain classes of people or businesses, to take or refrain from taking specified actions in respect of a communicable disease. This can include fines or potential closures.
Find out what businesses have been issued charges under the provincial Reopening Ontario Act.
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Food Establishments or Recreational Water Facility Violation
These establishments include:
- Restaurants and bars, no indoor dining
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Grocery stores, convenience stores, discount and big box retailers selling groceries
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Public pools, spas and wading pools
Call Access York at 1.877.464.9675 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
All Other Businesses or Public Spaces, Prohibited Private Social
Gatherings & Organized Public Event Violations
Contact the Contact Centre 905.477.7000 x2050 or customerservice@markham.ca.
People Who Have Tested Positive for COVID-19 & Are Not Quarantining
A person who has an active case of COVID-19 that is not adhering to isolation protocols can be reported to York Region Health Connection at 1.800.361.5653 or TTY 1.866.512.6228 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
Price Gouging Related to COVID-19
Call 1.800.889.9768 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, or by filing a report online.
As we continue to see a rise of COVID-19 cases in our community, we each need to do our part to stop the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.
Keep your friends and family safe. Don’t put yourself and others at risk. Every action counts.
COVID-19 Safety Tips
COVID Alert App
Starting at 11:59 pm ET on July 5, 2021, there will be some exemptions for people eligible to enter Canada, who also meet specific conditions for fully vaccinated travellers. COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada.
All travellers entering Canada, regardless of citizenship, must follow testing and quarantine requirements to keep Canadians safe, particularly given the COVID-19 variants in Canada and around the world.
Failure to self-quarantine could be an offence under the
Quarantine Act of Canada. Enforcement is the responsibility of the federal Quarantine Officer identified under the Act.
More information is available on the
Government of Canada’s Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel
restrictions, exemptions and advice webpage.
Do you have tips for shoppers?
The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home as much as possible. However, we recognize sometimes that is not possible.
With that in mind, here are a few tips on how to shop safely:
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Before going out, make sure what you’re looking for cannot be ordered online from a local business
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If you must go into a store, try to time your trip for off-peak hours where it will be easier to maintain physical distancing with others
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Inquire about curbside pickup and other safety shopping measures the store has in place
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Plan and know what you need from each store to limit the amount of time you spend there
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Follow the rules set out by the store and please be patient if you must wait in line due to occupancy limits; follow directional arrows and store signs set out by the staff, these have been put in place for everyone’s safety
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Wearing a face covering is required while in public spaces, including retail stores
Who is responsible for enforcement if a business is staying open in violation of the Provincial Order?
The
Reopening Ontario Act
can be enforced by Public Health inspectors, municipal bylaw officers and York Regional Police.
If there are people who have returned from travel that are not self-isolating, how is this reported?
Failure to self-quarantine could be an offence under the
Quarantine Act of Canada
. Enforcement is the responsibility of the federal Quarantine Officer identified under the Act.
If there are people who have tested positive for COVID-19 who are not doing the mandatory quarantine who do they report this to?
A person who has an active case of COVID-19 that is not adhering to isolation protocols can be reported to York Region Health Connection at 1.800.361.5653 or TTY 1.866.512.6228 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
Are staff included in the maximum number of persons allowed in indoor and outdoor gatherings for religious services, ceremonies or rites in weddings, funerals and celebrations of life?
Staff are not included in the maximum number of persons allowed at indoor and outdoor gatherings for religious services, ceremonies or rites in weddings, funerals and celebrations of life.
Are malls, big box stores and retailers required to set a maximum
capacity to ensure a distance of 2-meters and actively monitor
distancing?
Search sector specific guidelines for your business or facility in the Province of Ontario’s reopening plan.
Who is responsible for enforcing the Section 22 Class Order (if applicable)?
York Region Public Health, York Regional Police and local municipal bylaw enforcement officers have authority for enforcing any Section 22 Class Order.
Guidance and resources to help businesses operate more safely during COVID-19 are available at:
