More businesses get the green light to reopen,

Auto dealers, car washes and more construction sites also set to reopen

Under pressure from businesses forced to shut down for the past seven weeks due to the COVID-19 emergency, Premier Doug Ford says all garden centres will be allowed to open Monday.

The premier also announced that nurseries, landscapers, auto dealers, car washes and more construction sites would be back online that day, and that marinas and golf courses can begin preparing for operations later this spring.

“People are eager to get back to work,” Ford told reporters Friday at Queen’s Park. “Even when we open up the economy just a bit, people will still have to practise social distancing … until we get way ahead of this,” he said.

“We have to be super-cautious. Just hang in there.”

Ford, who has said industries have been lobbying him for weeks to loosen things up, said he is easing restrictions on mostly “seasonal” businesses because they work outside and it is safer for workers and customers. His announcement came one day after he imposed 65 new rules and regulations on businesses — including the need for Plexiglas shields, revamped HVAC systems, and mandatory hand washing — that some Progressive Conservatives have privately derided as “red tape.”

Ontario has been in a state of emergency since March 17 with only essential businesses — such as supermarkets, pharmacies, liquor and beer stores, and takeout restaurants — allowed to open.

The premier emphasized that he would be following a cautious framework before allowing the economy to reopen further and deferring to the expertise of Dr. David Williams, the chief medical officer for health.

“Let’s see two weeks of real positive results,” he said, referring to tests for COVID-19.

“Further reductions in the spread are needed before we can begin reopening the province.”

Also being permitted to open will be construction sites on projects at municipalities, universities and colleges, schools and child care centres, and those dealing with shipping, logistics, broadband telecommunications and digital infrastructure.

While owners and operators of golf courses and marinas can get ready for their seasons, golfing and recreational boating are still not permitted.