Today at a news conference Premier Doug Ford announced that the stay-at-home order by the Province of Ontario will end in both Brampton and Mississauga on Monday, February 22.
What this means for the Region of Peel is that residents will go back to the Gray-Lockdown section of the Ontario COVID-19 framework.
This level of the framework won’t be too different than what residents have already been dealing with. For example, Gray-Lockdown still means closed gyms and services such as hair and nail salons. Bars and restaurants remain closed for indoor dining.
The main difference is that there will now be some non-essential retail open at 25 per cent capacity.
The province wishes to remind Ontarians that individuals should wear a face covering when attending an organized public event or gathering (outdoors as well as indoors) if they are within two metres of another person who is not part of their household.
Any other requirements for gatherings and organized public events will stay the same. Also staying the same: grocery and other essential spots such as drug stores will keep going as they have been.
Ford said during the announcement that Ontario’s COVID-19 caseload is in decline, and that things should open when possible because the province’s economy needs a boost.
Ford said, “Our number one priority will always be protecting the health and safety of all individuals, families and workers across the province. But we must also consider the severe impact COVID-19 is having on our businesses. That’s why we have been listening to business owners, and we are strengthening and adjusting the Framework to allow more businesses to safely reopen and get people back to work.”
The province also announced last week that Peel schools will resume in-person learning on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, the day after Family Day.
You can learn more about the provincial COVID restriction framework here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open.