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Ontario Enacts Further Restrictions on Business and Community

January 12, 2021
By Bob Peters

Cornwall Ontario – Premier Doug Ford announced earlier today additional restrictions to help Ontario address the urgent health care crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These restrictions will come into effect Thursday January 14 and are expected to last until February 11.

A declaration of emergency is in effect. The Response Framework (colour-coded zones) is paused during this time. This article seeks to provide a synopsis of the immediate impacts on local businesses and the community at large.

Stay at Home

Every person should remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work.

Business Restrictions

All businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.
The current lockdown which requires all non-essential retail stores to close to the public remains in effect.
All non-essential retail stores must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m.
Restaurants can remain open for takeout and delivery, without restricted hours of operation.
Stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores can remain open to the public, without restricted hours of operation.
Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.
There are no current additional restrictions on manufacturers, food processors or logistics operations.
Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open.

Outdoor Leisure

Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can’t physically distance more than two metres.

Additional Info

The enhanced public health and workplace safety measures are anticipated to be in place until at least February 11, 2021. More detailed information on current COVID-19 restrictions can be sourced via the following document and links:

If you have questions about what will be open or impacts to your business or employment, call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Business Reopening Toolkit

Cornwall Economic Development has put together a toolkit to help businesses reopen. The toolkit includes guidelines and a maximum occupancy calculator along with signs and posters that can be downloaded and printed: