Ontario introduces new COVID safety guide for businesses as Canada-U.S. border closure extended

Jun 16, 2020 | COVID-19, News

Premier of Ontario Doug Ford, seen here in a press conference from April 9 at Queen’s Park in Toronto, announced the release of a new COVID-19 safety guide for businesses that are beginning to reopen across the province (Courtesy: Premier of Ontario Youtube).
Alison Gallagher

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a COVID-19 safety plan guide today at his daily press briefing.

The new COVID safety guide provides guidelines and tip sheets for businesses beginning to reopen in order to help them adjust to public health recommendations and keep workplaces safe.

“We need to give people confidence and peace of mind,” Ford said. “We need folks to have the confidence to get back to work.”

The guide includes 133 sector-specific workplace safety documents and resources, including posters for various businesses outlining cleaning and social distancing measures, advice from multiple health and safety associations, and multilingual tip sheets.

“This is about giving businesses and owners the tools and resources they need to adapt and succeed in this new reality,” Ford said. “It’s up to everyone to support our local businesses during these difficult times.”

This announcement comes a day after more regions of Ontario were allowed to move on to Stage 2 of Ontario’s economic reopening this Friday, including Haldimand-Norfolk, Lambton, Hamilton and the regions of Durham, Halton, Niagara and York.

Toronto, Peel and Windsor-Essex will stay in Stage 1 until public health indicators show a consistent decline in COVID-19 cases.

Ontario is reporting 184 new COVID-19 cases which marks the third day in a row with fewer than 200 news cases.

At the federal level, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced today that the Canada-U.S. border will remain closed for another 30 days until July 21.

“This is an important decision that will keep people in both of our countries safe,” Trudeau said.

The Prime Minister also revealed eligibility for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will be extended by another eight weeks, and the federal government will be giving $14 billion to the provinces to help cover the cost of daycare, testing and tracing, and workplace safety.

“Our government will continue to be there for you,” Trudeau said.

“We are going to make sure that all of our supports, including the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Employment Insurance, are working effectively to get Canadians back on their feet,” he said.