Based on the improving local trends of key indicators, including lower transmission of COVID-19, the Government has announced today that 27 public health regions will no longer be subject to the shutdown and Stay-at-Home order and will gradually transition to the colour-coded revised COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open (the “Framework”) as of Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
Toronto, Peel, York, and North Bay Parry Sound District regions will remain under Stay-at-Home orders and are anticipated to return to the Framework on Monday, February 22, 2021.
Even with the Stay-at-Home order ceasing to apply in some regions as of Tuesday, February 16, everyone is strongly advised to continue to stay at home, avoid social gatherings, minimize travel between areas with different rules, and limit close contacts to their household. Employers in all industries should continue to make every effort to allow employees to work from home.
Public Health Unit Region Classifications – Last updated February 12, 2021 at 2:36 PM.
*These regions will transition from the Stay-at-Home orders and and are anticipated to re-enter the Framework on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 12:01 am
Stay-at-Home
Toronto Public Health*;
Peel Regional Health Unit*;
York Region Public Health*;
North Bay Parry Sound District*
Grey-Lockdown:
Niagara Region Public Health.
Red-Control:
Chatham-Kent Public Health;
City of Hamilton Public Health Services;
Durham Region Health Department;
Halton Region Public Health;
Middlesex-London Health Unit;
Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services;
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit;
Southwestern Public Health;
Thunder Bay District Health Unit;
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health;
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
Orange-Restrict:
Brant County Health Unit;
Eastern Ontario Health Unit;
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit;
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit;
Huron Perth Public Health;
Lambton Public Health;
Ottawa Public Health;
Porcupine Health Unit;
Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
Yellow-Protect:
Algoma Public Health;
Grey Bruce Health Unit;
Northwestern Health Unit;
Peterborough Public Health.
Green-Prevent:
Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Public Health;
Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Public Health;
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit;
Renfrew County and District Health Unit;
Timiskaming Health Unit.
What is the impact on Open Houses?
If your public health unit region is in the levels Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect and Orange-Restrict, open houses are permitted, effective Tuesday February 16, 2021 provided they follow all health and safety guidelines suggested by public health officials.
While the option to host an open house is available to you, OREA’s message to our Members continues to be that REALTORS® should NOT do open houses and instead use virtual tools first and to the greatest extent possible. Ontario REALTORS® should continue to advise clients to use virtual open houses, virtual showings or in-person safe showings to show and view properties.
You can find guidance for safely hosting an open house in Guidance for Safe Open House Practices.
What if my region is under the Stay-at Home order, Red-Control or Grey-Lockdown level?
For regions that are under Stay-at-Home order, Red-Control and Grey-Lockdown, open houses are not permitted.
For safe in-person showings protocol, please visit the following guidance document: Guidance For Safe In-Person Showings.
How does this affect residential evictions?
Enforcement of residential evictions will remain paused in the public health unit regions where the provincial Stay-at-Home order remains in effect. This will ensure people are not forced to leave their homes. In regions where the Stay-at-Home order is lifted and they have transitioned back to the Framework, the regular process for residential eviction enforcement will resume.
For more information or clarification on residential evictions, you may wish to contact the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
How about short-term rentals?
Short-term rentals are prohibited in regions that are still under Stay-At-Home Order and if a Public Health Unit is in a Grey-Lockdown Zone (once back in the Framework).
Short-term rentals are allowed in the Red, Orange, Yellow and Green zones.
For more information about the updated and strengthened Framework, please visit the Government of Ontario website.
Disclaimer. The information contained in this email is not meant to be relied upon as legal advice by REALTORS®, or others. Members wishing further clarity or advice should seek independent legal advice specific to their circumstances. Due to the quickly changing regulatory environment during the COVID-19 emergency, this information may not be current or accurate by the time it is read.