On April 27, 2020, the Ontario government announced a "Framework for Reopening
our Province," a document setting out the public health
principles behind its decision-making respecting the gradual
reopening of the economy in the wake of COVID-19.
The document outlines a three-stage reopening process with
progress from one stage to the next based on whether the criteria
in the preceding stage are met. Although there is no timeline for
the commencement of the first stage, it will involve opening
"select workplaces that can meet public health
guidelines."
On April 30, 2020, the Ontario government published resources
for employers on its website, including
sector-specific workplace safety guidelines and posters. At
present, guidelines and posters have been published for the
construction, food processing, restaurant and food services,
agriculture, manufacturing, and long-term care sectors, suggesting
that these will be the first "select workplaces"
permitted to reopen.
