Ontario moves into 5-stage, colour-coded COVID-19 framework

Toronto – As of Saturday, Nov. 7, the Ontario government is under a framework that categorizes public health regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict, Red-Control, and Lockdown being a measure of last and urgent resort.

“The framework lays out a proactive and graduated response to be applied based on the local situation in each region,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “By working with the medical officers of health and local authorities on the realities and situations of COVID-19, we want to continue to help protect people’s health and well-being. We are adapting the public health measures to be as targeted and efficient as possible to stop the spread of the virus, while managing any outbreaks as quickly as possible.”

At the request of the local medical officer of health, and with the support of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health will join Peel Region in entering the Red-Control stage. For restaurants this means that in addition to all lower-stage measures, the maximum number of patrons permitted to be seated indoors is 10; outdoor dining, takeout, drive-thru and delivery are permitted; and dancing, singing and the live performance of brass or wind instruments are prohibited.

Ottawa Public Health and York Region Public Health are under Orange-Restrict.

Public health measures required for each level can be found in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.

For long-term care homes, visitor restrictions remain in effect for Ottawa, Peel, Toronto and York Region.

Trends in public health data will be reviewed weekly. At the same time, the government will continually assess the impact of public health measures for 28 days, or two COVID-19 incubation periods to determine if public health units should stay where they are or be moved into a different level.

The Ontario government is making $300 million available to businesses required to close or significantly restrict services in areas subject to modified Stage 2 public health restrictions, or, going forward, in areas categorized as Control or Lockdown. As a result, businesses in these areas will be able to apply for temporary property tax and energy cost rebates directly to the province through a single, online application portal.

For more information, visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus.