COVID-19 Update: Our Business Is Either "Essential" Or Not – Now What?

In an effort to further contain the spread of COVID-19, certain provinces, including Ontario and Québec, have ordered the closure of non-essential workplaces (a full, updated summary of emergency measures to date can be found here).

Our Business is Not Essential – Now What?

• Just because a business is not on a provincial "essential" business list does not necessarily mean that it is required to stop all operations. The provincial closure orders to date have generally required the closure of the physical workplace, but have permitted businesses to continue remote operations, as well as operations conducted through teleworking and e-commerce platforms.
• In addition, non-essential businesses are also generally permitted temporary access to their premises for the purposes of facilitating critical infrastructure protection. This includes, but is not limited to: IT, security, life safety, etc.