On May 6, 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the further easing of restrictions for retail stores and essential construction over the coming days. Retail stores with street entrances will soon be permitted to provide curbside pick-up and delivery, while in-store purchases at garden centres, nurseries, hardware, and safety supply stores will also resume.

Premier Ford was joined by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott; Minister of Finance Rod Phillips; and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli.

Earlier today, Ontario also announced the extension of electricity rate relief and all other emergency orders that have been put in place under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Further Details

Further Easing of Restrictions on Retail and Construction Sectors

This afternoon, Premier Doug Ford announced the further easing of restrictions for retail stores over the coming days:

  • As of Friday, May 8th at 12:01 a.m., garden centres and nurseries will be permitted to open for in-store payment and purchases;
  • As of Saturday, May 9th at 12:01 a.m., hardware and safety supply stores will be permitted to open for in-store payment and purchases;
  • As of Monday, May 11th at 12:01 a.m., all retail stores with a street entrance can begin offering curbside pickup and delivery.

Stores opening for in-store payments and purchases will be required to follow the same strict public health measures as grocery stores and pharmacies, including physical distancing, offering contactless payment options, and sanitizing surfaces.

The Ontario government is encouraging business owners to review the health and safety guidelines developed by the province and its health and safety association partners, in order to adapt operations to new realities in light of COVID-19.

In addition to easing restrictions on retail, the government is also expanding essential construction to allow below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects such as apartments and condominiums to begin, and for existing above-grade projects to continue.

When asked about particular challenges for downtown Toronto businesses regarding physical distancing, Premier Ford confirmed that he has spoken to Mayor Tory about this. He added that putting in place protocols specific to the City of Toronto will be up to Mayor Tory’s discretion.

Extension of Electricity Rate Relief and Other Emergency Orders

Earlier today, Ontario also announced the extension of electricity rate relief and all other emergency orders that have been put in place under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Emergency electricity rate relief to families, farms and small businesses will be extended until May 31, 2020. As a result, customers who pay time-of-use electricity rates will continue to be billed at the lowest (off-peak) price, 24 hours per day and seven days per week.

All other emergency orders that have been put in place under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act have also been extended until May 19, 2020. These emergency orders include, but are not limited to, the closure of non-essential workplaces, prohibitions on public events and restrictions on gathering sizes.