Toronto and Peel Region in Ontario enter ‘lockdown’ phase to stop spread of COVID-19

Toronto and Peel region are in “lockdown” phase as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, as part of Ontario’s efforts to slow spread of the virus.

The action is being taken to help stop the spread of COVID-19, while keeping schools, child care centres and other key services open to the fullest extent possible, the province said in a news release.

In hard-hit Toronto and Peel measures include restaurant dining limited to takeout or delivery and non-essential businesses restricted to online transactions and curbside pickup. Indoor gatherings are limited to five people.

Restaurants, bars, and food and drink establishments will only be able to provide takeout, drive-through and delivery. Indoor and outdoor dining services are prohibited.

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Measures under lockdown include, but are not limited to:

• Schools, before and after school programs, and child care will remain open;
• Post-secondary schools open for virtual learning with some limited exceptions for training that can only be provided in-person, such as clinical training or training related to a trade;
• No indoor organized public events or social gatherings except with members of the same household.
• Individuals who live alone, including seniors, may consider having exclusive, close contact with one other person;
• Outdoor organized public events or social gatherings limited to a maximum of 10 people;
• Wedding services, funeral services and religious services, rites or ceremonies where physical distancing can be maintained can have up to 10 people indoors or 10 people outdoors;
• Retail permitted to be open for curbside pick-up or delivery only, with certain exceptions such as for supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, discount and big box retailers selling groceries, beer, wine and liquor stores, safety supply stores, and convenience stores, which will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity;
• Restaurants, bars, and food and drink establishments will only be able to provide takeout, drive-through and delivery. Indoor and outdoor dining services are prohibited;
• Personal care services closed;
• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments closed; and
• Indoor sports and recreational facilities, including pools, closed with limited exceptions.

Read the full press release.