Human Resources Legislative Update
York Region Moves to Modified Stage 2, Further Changes to Stage 2 Rules
Date: October 19, 2020
On October 16, 2020, the Ontario government announced that it is moving York Region into the Rules for Areas in Stage 2, effective October 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in that area. This is in effect for 28 days.
We discussed the modifications made to the Rules for Areas in Stage 2 in our FTR Now of October 14, 2020 Ottawa, Toronto and Peel Region Now Subject to Modified Stage 2 Rules.
The government has also filed a regulation which further modifies the Rules for Areas in Stage 2 and which comes into effect on October 17, 2020.
Changes to Rules for Areas in Stage 2
Business and Places
The Amendments add a provision that the capacity limits placed on rented meeting or event space (10 persons where the meeting is indoors, 25 persons where the meeting is outdoors) do not apply for operations by or on behalf of a government or for the purpose of delivering or supporting the delivery of government services.
Services
The Amendments:
- add recreational and skill building programs within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 as an additional purpose for which community centres and multi-purpose facilities may open
- permit real estate agencies to open if they do not host, provide or support any open house events, although they may show a property by appointment (the provision allowing them to conduct open houses with a maximum of 10 persons present is revoked)
- revoke the provision relating to closure of conference centres and convention centres (except for the provision of delivering court services); the centres may now be allowed to open if the total number of the members of the public present (subject to maintaining a physical distance of 2 metres from each other) does not exceed 10 persons if the members of the public are indoors, and 25 persons if the members of the public are outdoors. These capacity limits do not apply to rental of the space for the purpose of delivering or supporting the delivery of court services, for operations by or on behalf of a government or for the purpose of delivering or supporting the delivery of government services
- with respect to facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities:
- clarify that the total number of members of the public permitted to be in a class, organized program or organized activity at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from other persons and in any event cannot exceed 10 people
- provide that the conditions that apply to facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities to operate do not apply to providing space for the provision of an authorized recreational and skill building program within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
- with respect to facilities for outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities, clarify that the total number of members of the public permitted to be at the facility in an outdoor class, organized program or organized activity at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from each other, and in any event cannot exceed 25 people. Each class, organized program or organized activity must take place in a separate outdoor area
- with respect to entertainment, permit concert venues, theatres and cinemas to open for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance if certain conditions are complied with (no spectators can be present, performers and other persons must maintain a physical distance of two metres from each other, subject to certain exceptions).
Changes to Rules for Areas in Stage 3
The government also filed a regulation amending the Rules for Areas in Stage 3 which permits an exception to the capacity limits for rented meeting or event space for operations by or on behalf of a government or for the purpose of delivering or supporting the delivery of government services. This change also comes into effect on October 17, 2020.
Should you require further information about these new changes, please contact your regular Hicks Morley lawyer.
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP. ©
