Ontario announces Toronto, Peel regions to move to Stage 3 on Jul. 31

Much of Ontario’s manufacturing corridor will join the rest of the province in Stage 3 on Friday, July 31, the government of Ontario announced today.

The City of Toronto and Peel Region are moving to Stage 3 at 12:01 a.m. Friday, while the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit region will remain in Stage 2.

The government says the decision to allow Toronto Public Health and Peel Public Health regions to enter Stage 3 is based on positive local trends of key public health indicators, including lower transmission of COVID-19, ongoing hospital capacity, public health capacity to conduct rapid case and contact management, and a significant increase in testing.

“We’re asking everyone to follow public health advice and act responsibly,” says Premier Doug Ford in a statement.

“We have made tremendous progress that allows us to return to something a little closer to our normal lives this summer, but we are not out of the woods yet. This virus is still among us and we have to be extra cautious to avoid sparking a surge or an outbreak. I strongly urge everyone to continue following public health protocols.”

During Stage 3, most businesses are allowed to reopen, with some exceptions. Physical distancing with those outside one’s household or social circle, wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so, staying home when ill, and washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, are all still part of Stage 3.

Workplaces are strongly encouraged to continue to allow remote working if they are able to do so to control the spread of COVID-19.

The Windsor-Essex region, which has experienced outbreaks among migrant workers in the agriculture sector, will move to Stage 3 when the government says it is safe to do so. In the interim, the government is conducting on-farm testing, deploying mobile testing units and adopting new public health guidance for positive asymptomatic workers for all workplaces.

For more information on the restrictions that will remain in place during Stage 3, as well as the public health and workplace safety restrictions necessary to keep people safe, visit Ontario.ca/reopen.

Businesses that are unable to open or resume full activities due to Stage 3 restrictions, or businesses that have ideas to safely amend Stage 3 restrictions or requirements, can visit Ontario.ca/reopen to submit a reopening proposal for consideration.