The current number of COVID-19 cases is going down and that means that the province of Ontario is starting to reopen. On May 14, Premier Doug Ford and public health officials announced that all retail businesses with street entrances will be permitted to open starting on May 19.
This news is super exciting but physical distancing measures will still remain in place and these businesses will have to follow protocols like limiting the number of customers inside at one time.
“Businesses should reopen only if they are ready, and the truth is that this is all dependent on the numbers,” Premier Ford said Thursday. “As we get more and more people back to work, the risk of flare-ups is real so we need to be vigilant.”
Ontario’s Health Minister Christine Elliott also said that the province is asking members of the public to wear masks or face coverings while out when practicing physical distancing isn’t possible.
In addition to the news about retail businesses with street entrances being able to reopen, the Premier also announced that vehicle dealerships and scientific research laboratories will be allowed to resume operations, as will select medical businesses and businesses in the media sector like film and TV post-production.
According to the government’s Stage 1 framework, also allowed to resume operations are animal services like grooming, training, and veterinary offices as well as animal shelters and boarding facilities.
“Thanks to our collective efforts we are prepared for the next stage of reopening the economy,” the premier said. “We are getting thousands of people back to work. We have the framework, safety guidelines and capacity in our healthcare system.”
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