Ontario Returns to Colour-Coded Response Framework

Ontario has ended a province-wide Stay-at-Home order and returned to its colour-coded response framework. As of Monday, February 22, 2021, each public health unit has been moved into a Zone:

1. Shutdown or “Stay-at-Home” Zone (Stage 1): City of Toronto, North Bay­-Parry Sound, Peel, York*.

2. Grey Zone – Lockdown (Stage 1): Niagara Region
3. Red Zone – Control (Stage 2): Chatham-Kent, Hamilton, Durham, Halton, Lambton*, Middlesex-London, Oxford-Elgin St., Simcoe-Muskoka, Thunder Bay, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin Guelph and Windsor-Essex, York Region*.

3. Orange Zone – Restrict (Stage 3): Brant, Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, Haldimand-Norfolk, Haliburton-Kawartha-Pine Ridge, Huron Perth, Porcupine, Sudbury and District.

4. Yellow Zone – Protect (Stage 3): – Algoma, Grey-Bruce, Northwestern and Peterborough County-City. 

5. Green Zone – Prevent (Stage 3): Hastings and Prince Edward County, Kingston-Frontenac-Lennox-Addington, Leeds-Grenville-Lanark, Renfew County and District, Timiskaming. 

*As of today, York is in Red (previously in Shutdown) and Lambton is in Red (previously in Orange). Toronto, Peel, and North Bay-Parry Sound will remain in the Shutdown / "Stay-at-Home" Zone until at least March 8, 2022. 

As we have written previously, it is our view that condominium amenities may remain open, or reopen, for residents’ use in every zone, subject to any orders and/or guidance from the local public health unit. Unless the local health unit has ordered the amenity closed, the decision to open or close the amenities is with each individual Board, acting in the best interests of their owners and residents.

Toronto Public Health, for example, “strongly recommends” that condominiums “close non-essential common areas such as gyms, pools, spas (whirlpool, hot tubs), playrooms…” but has not ordered these amenities closed. 

We continue to recommend that Boards follow the advice of their local public health unit.

If an amenity is open or reopened, it is subject to social gathering limits for each Zone: 

Zone	Indoor Amenities	Outdoor Amenities
Shutdown or “Stay-at-Home” Zone	One (1) unit representing one (1) household may use an open indoor amenity at one time.	Up to five (5) people may use an open outdoor amenity at one time, provided that each person can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from anyone not in their household.
Grey Zone – Lockdown	One (1) unit representing one (1) household may use an open indoor amenity at one time.	Up to ten (10) people may use an open outdoor amenity at one time, provided that each person can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from anyone not in their household.
Red Zone – Control	Up to five (5) people may use an open indoor amenity at one time, provided that each person can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from anyone not in their household.	Up to twenty-five (25) people may use an open outdoor amenity at one time, provided that each person can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from anyone not in their household.
Orange Zone – Restrict Yellow Zone – Protect Green Zone – Prevent	Up to ten (10) people may use an open indoor amenity at one time, provided that each person can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from anyone not in their household.	Up to twenty-five (25) people may use an open outdoor amenity at one time, provided that each person can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from anyone not in their household.

The rules and regulations relating to reopening the province are complex and constantly evolving. We will keep you updated as the situation changes and new rules are introduced.