The Ontario government has announced it is further easing restrictions on retail businesses by allowing garden centres, nurseries, hardware stores, and safety supply stores to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on Wednesday (May 6), along with economic development minister Vic Fedeli, health minister Christine Elliott, and finance minister Rod Phillips.
Garden centres and nurseries can reopen just after midnight on Friday, May 8th.
Hardware stores and safety supply stores can reopen the next day, just after midnight on Saturday, May 9th.
“Heading into Mother’s Day this weekend, please be sure to support your local garden centre and nursery and pick up some nice flowers for all the great moms out there,” Ford said.
The reopened businesses will be operating under the same guidelines as grocery stores and pharmacies.
Businesses must follow public health measures and should review workplace safety guidelines, such as promoting physical distancing and frequent handwashing, sanitizing surfaces, installing physical barriers, staggering shifts, and using contactless payment options to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“This means people will be able to shop in stores as long as these businesses follow strict public health measures to protect staff and customers,” Ford said.
“The same workplace safety requirements that apply to grocery stores and pharmacies will apply to these stores. Those include physical distancing, contactless payment options, and sanitizing surfaces.”
In addition, all retail stores with a street entrance will now be allowed to offer curbside pickup and delivery, starting just after midnight on Monday, May 11th.
VIDEO: Ontario government eases restrictions on retail stores – May 6, 2020
These businesses must follow the Ministry of Health’s guidance document for essential workplaces (see below) and occupational health and safety requirements.
The government is also expanding essential construction to allow below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects like apartments and condominiums to begin and existing above-grade projects to continue.
Ministry of Health’s Guidance Document for Essential Workplaces
Ministry of Health's Guidance Document for Essential Workplaces
