Kingston, ON – Today at 4:45 p.m. the government of Ontario announced that the Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) region will move from the Yellow–Protect level to the Orange–Restrict level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open COVID-19 Response Framework. The sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in KFL&A over the past two weeks means that the region meets the criteria for the orange–restrict level, with a weekly incidence rate between 25 and 39.9 cases per 100,000.
The move to the orange–restrict level means that intermediate public health measures will come into effect in the KFL&A region on Monday, December 21, at 12:01 a.m. The additional measures include limited hours of operations for certain settings, limits on the hours for sale at food and drink establishments, limits on the number of individuals permitted in certain settings and required screening of patrons to establishments.
“We are facing a critical time in the fight against this virus with the move to orange-restrict coming during the holiday season,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “We are relying on the residents, businesses, services, and workplaces in KFL&A to follow these new regulations to limit the spread of COVID-19 in their settings. It is in our hands to protect our communities, and to prevent further restrictions at levels beyond orange.”
There are some new and specific measures that come with the provincial orange-restrict level. All measures are listed in Government of Ontario amended O. Reg. 364/20 Rules for Areas in Stage 3 under the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020. Owners and operators of businesses and organizations are strongly encouraged to carefully review the regulation and determine which sections apply to their sector.
“It is crucial that we continue to support each other, work together, and stay vigilant—staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others especially those individuals at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (e.g., older adults and other vulnerable populations),” added Dr. Moore.
With the change to orange-restrict level in KFL&A, it is even more important that we consider how to make the holiday season and celebrations safe, everyone must take steps to protect yourself and loved ones from getting and spreading COVID-19.
WHAT DOES ORANGE-RESTRICT MEAN?
Intermediate measures: Stronger actions, restrictions and enforcement while avoiding closures.
Always stay home if you have symptoms, physically distance by staying two metres apart from people you don’t live with, wear a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces and avoid non-essential travel.
Gatherings and close contact
Limit close contact to your household (the people you live with) and stay at least 2 metres apart from everyone else.
If you live alone, you can have close contact with only one other household.
Events and social gatherings in private homes, backyards or parks (for example, barbeques):
- Indoors: 10 people
- Outside: 25 people
Organized public events and gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities (for example, event spaces):
- Indoors: 50 people
- Outside: 100 people
Religious, wedding and funeral services:
- Indoors: 30% capacity
- Outside: 100 people
Rules for all businesses
All open businesses must:
- screen employees (for example, using the COVID-19covid 19 Screening Tool for Workplaces)
- limit capacity so guests can stay at least 2 metres apart
- make sure anyone indoors wears a mask or face covering, including workers who have to come within 2 metres of anyone else
- make sure workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects the eyes, nose and mouth when they must come within 2 metres of anyone who is not wearing a mask or face covering or separated by plexiglass
- clean and disinfect often-touched surfaces, such as equipment, washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms and showers frequently
Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments
Capacity limits:
- 50 people indoors
- 4 people per table
Guests must:
- sit with at least 2 metres between tables
- wear masks or face coverings except when eating or drinking
- wear a mask or face covering and keep 2 metres apart when lining up and gathering outside
- give their name and contact information
- answer screening questions about COVID-19covid 19 symptoms and exposure before they come in
Time restrictions:
- Establishments must close by 10 p.m.
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 9 p.m.
- No one can drink alcohol after 10 p.m.
Not allowed:
- Buffets
Sports and recreational fitness facilities
Capacity limits:
- Indoors:
- 50 people total
- 10 people per class
- Outside:
- 100 people total
- 25 per class
- No spectators, except for one parent or guardian per child
Everyone must:
- always wear masks or face coverings except when exercising
- stay 3 metres apart in classes or areas with weights or exercise equipment and 2 metres apart everywhere else
- make reservations (only one required per team)
- give their name and contact information
- answer screening questions about COVID-19covid 19 symptoms and exposure before they come in
Team and individual sports must:
- be modified to avoid physical contact
- have a maximum of 50 people per league
Time restrictions
- 90-minute time limit for classes and working out (does not apply for sports)
Meeting and event spaces
Capacity limits:
- Indoors: 50 people per facility
- Outside: 100 people per facility
- Per table: 4 people
- Religious, wedding and funeral services have different limits
Guests must:
- give their name and contact information
- answer screening questions about COVID-19covid 19 symptoms and exposure before they come in
Not allowed:
- Booking multiple rooms for the same event
Time restrictions:
- Establishments must close by 10 p.m.
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 9 p.m.
- No one can drink alcohol after 10 p.m.
Stores
Fitting rooms cannot be right next to each other.
Guests must:
- wear a mask or face covering and keep at least 2 metres apart when lining up and gathering outside
- answer screening questions about COVID-19covid 19 symptoms and exposure before they come into malls
Personal care services
Closed:
- Oxygen bars
- Steam rooms
- Saunas
- Sensory deprivation pods (except for therapeutic purposes)
- Bath houses
- Other adult venues
Guests must:
- give their name and contact information
- answer screening questions about COVID-19covid 19 symptoms and exposure before they come in
Not allowed:
- Services that need guests to remove their mask/face covering
Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
Capacity limits:
- 50 people total
Not allowed:
- Table games (for example, poker, blackjack, roulette)
Guests must:
- give their name and contact information
- answer screening questions about COVID-19covid 19 symptoms and exposure before they come in
Time restrictions:
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 9 p.m.
- No one can drink alcohol after 10 p.m.
Cinemas
Capacity limits:
- Indoors: 50 people total
- Outside: 100 people total
Time restrictions:
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 9 p.m.
- No once can drink alcohol after 10 p.m.
Everyone must:
- always wear masks or face coverings except when eating or drinking
- give their name and contact information
- answer screening questions about COVID-19covid 19 symptoms and exposure before they come in
Performing arts facilities
Capacity limits:
- Indoors: 50 people total
- Outside: 100 people total
Everyone must:
- stay 2 metres away from each other, except when needed for the performance
- give their name and contact information
- answer screening questions about COVID-19covid 19 symptoms and exposure before they come in
There must be a barrier (for example, plexiglass) between singers and wind- or brass-instrument players and audience members.
Time restrictions:
- Alcohol cannot be sold after 9 p.m.
- No one can drink alcohol after 10 p.m
For more information on safe celebrations or to learn more about COVID-19, how you can protect yourself and what to do if you suspect you may be at risk, visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus.
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