Reopenings to start soon with Ontario set to welcome back in-store shopping, golf and more //

Ontario set to welcome back in-store shopping, surgeries, golf and more

TORONTO—Ontarians will be able to go shopping, play golf or tennis, and get their dogs groomed — but not visit family — starting next week as stage one of the province’s reopening kicks in, Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday.

Tuesday will mark the beginning of the province’s first recovery stage, which also includes the resumption of some surgeries, as the numbers of new COVID-19 cases in Ontario continue to drop.

“We need to keep in mind that all of this is dependent on the numbers,” Premier Doug Ford said.

“The truth is we can’t fully predict where things will go, so we need to be ready to react if we see a sudden increase in cases. We cannot let our guard down now. We must watch the trends like a hawk.”

Ontario officials are still advising working from home as much as possible.

Although stage one will allow in-store shopping, golf games and for house cleaners and babysitters to work in people’s homes, provincial guidance to stay two metres away from anyone outside people’s immediate household is still in place.

Ford, who was criticized after he revealed he had two daughters over to his home contrary to the official advice, said he knows people are desperate to see family.

“I know I had one of my daughters over, or two, and I got in trouble for that, but for months we never saw them,” he said.

“I understand the pain you’re going through, your family’s going through, and other families are going through and I just ask, just hang in there a little bit longer and we’ll get through it.”

Health Minister Christine Elliott said officials have been discussing the concept of two-household bubbles, as other provinces are using, and Finance Minister Rod Phillips said updates on gatherings, school and child-care centres will come next week. Though stage one begins Tuesday, a few measures will be loosened over the weekend. On Saturday, golf courses can reopen, though clubhouses can only open for washrooms and takeout food. Marinas, boat clubs and public boat launches can open Saturday, as can private parks and campgrounds for trailers and recreational vehicles whose owners have a fullseason contract, and businesses that board animals.

All construction can resume Tuesday and limits will be lifted on maintenance, repair and property management services, such as cleaning, painting, and pool maintenance.

Most retail stores that have a street entrance can open with physical distancing restrictions, such as limits on the number of customers in a store, booking appointments and continuing to provide curbside pickup and delivery.

Golf driving ranges will be able to reopen, and sports that can be played with physical distancing will be allowed, including tennis, track and field, gymnastics, figure skating, and horse racing.

Some scheduled surgeries will restart, as well as in-person counselling such as psychology or addictions counselling.

Other businesses and services included in the stage one reopening include regular veterinary appointments, pet grooming, pet sitting and pet training; libraries for pickup or deliveries; and housekeepers and babysitters.

Ontario reported 258 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 33 more deaths.