Ontario moving to a modified step two of its Roadmap to Reopen

As of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, Ontario will temporarily move back to a modified version of step two of its Roadmap to Reopen. The following measures will be in place for at least 21 days (until January 26), subject to trends in public health and health system indicators. Further guidance will be provided in the coming weeks.

Dealers may remain open with the following restrictions:

• Dealerships must operate at no more than 50 per cent capacity, or at less than 50 per cent capacity as necessary to maintain at least two metres of physical distancing between individuals
• Signs must be posted notifying the public of the capacity restriction
• Volume of music must be limited to permit a normal conversation
• A safety plan must be prepared, posted, and made available upon request
• All individuals must physically distance at least two metres apart and wear a mask or face covering that must cover a person’s mouth, nose, and chin, inside the premises at all times
• Physical distancing or a barrier is required indoors when workers remove face coverings to eat or drink
• Businesses and organizations must make sure all work is conducted remotely, unless the nature of the work requires employees to be onsite at the workplace
• Line-ups and patrons congregating must be two metres apart indoors and outdoors. Masks or face coverings are required in line-ups
• High-touch surfaces, including tables, countertops, door handles and communal areas like washrooms or change rooms must be cleaned and disinfected.

Test drives will also continue to be allowed under the following restrictions:

• Test drives must be limited to no more than 10 minutes
• A maximum of two people, including up to one sales representative, may be present in the vehicle during the test drive
• If two people who are not members of the same household are present in the vehicle during the test drive, all windows in the vehicle must be opened at all times
• Masks or face coverings must be worn at all times indoors and during test drives and must cover a person’s mouth, nose, and chin
• All members of the public must be actively screened by the dealership in accordance with the advice, recommendations, and instructions of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health before participating in a test drive.

Please direct questions to [email protected] or the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services’ Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.