Doug Ford announces new 3 step Ontario COVID reopening plan

The Ontario government released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health care indicators.

The province of Ontario will remain in each step for at least 21 days to evaluate any impacts on key public health and health system indicators. Based on current trends in key health indicators, including the provincial vaccination rate, the province expects to enter Step One of the Roadmap the week of June 14, 2021.

The Ontario province-wide emergency brake restrictions remain in effect with the Stay-at-Home order expiring on June 2, 2021.

How does this impact REALTORS^®?

For now, Members should continue to follow all public health guidance, use virtual business tools first, refrain from in-person open houses and only conduct scheduled showings when absolutely necessary.

With respect to tenant eviction orders, the government has indicated that the moratorium is tied directly to the Stay-at-Home order and that is expected to be lifted June 3, 2021; however, it is not clear at this point whether or not the province will lift the ban on residential evictions at the same time.

Real estate remains an essential business; therefore, real estate transactions can continue, provided that all public health measures and safety protocols are followed.

Key highlights in each step of the Ontario 3 Step Roadmap to Reopen are outlined in the chart below:

In response to recent public health improvements, effective May 22, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., the province will reopen outdoor recreational amenities with restrictions in place. These amenities include, but are not limited to, golf courses and driving ranges, soccer and other sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, and skate parks. No outdoor sports or recreational classes are permitted. Outdoor limits for social gatherings and organized public events will be expanded to five people, which will allow these amenities to be used for up to five people, including with members of different households. All other public health and workplace safety measures under the provincewide emergency brake will remain in effect.

Ontario has scrapped the idea of lifting restrictions by region, as was prescribed under the previous colour-coded reopening framework. Instead, the entire province will be evaluated as a group based on overall vaccination rates as well as improvements in key public health and health system indicators.

The province will remain in each of the three steps “for at least 21 days to evaluate any impacts.” If, at the end of each 21 day period, vaccination thresholds and other criteria have been met, we will move forward as a group into the next step.

Here’s what we can expect from each step, and what we need to do to get there, per the provincial government:

Step One:  60 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose

“An initial focus on resuming outdoor activities with smaller crowds where the risk of transmission is lower, and permitting retail with restrictions. This includes allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining with up to four people per table and nonessential retail at 15 per cent capacity.

Step Two: 70 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 20 per cent vaccinated with two

“Further expanding outdoor activities and resuming limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn. This includes outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, outdoor sports and leagues, personal care services where face coverings can be worn and with capacity limits, as well as indoor religious services, rites or ceremony gatherings at 15 per cent capacity.”

Step Three: 70 to 80 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 25 per cent vaccinated with two doses

“Expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions, including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn. This includes indoor sports and recreational fitness; indoor dining, museums, art galleries and libraries, and casinos and bingo halls, with capacity limits.”

As of today, Thursday, May 20, per the Ministry of Health’s most-recent data, approximately 48.2 per cent of all Ontario residents (children and adults) have now been vaccinated.

For more on what you need to know about the pandemic, visit the TRREB COVID-19 Information Centre.