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Section 22 Orders from the Local Medical Officer of Health

Under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA), the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) may issue an order to limit the spread of communicable disease in the community. Actions under a Section 22 Order must be necessary for reducing or removing the risk for spread of communicable diseases and can include individuals or a class of individuals. Class orders apply to groups of persons as defined in the order issued by the medical officer of health.

Updated September 15, 2020 - Face Coverings and Hand Sanitizer in Commercial Settings - FR

October 6, 2020 (UPDATED) - Owners and Operators of Agricultural Farms in Windsor and Essex County 

For more information, visit: Farmers and Temporary Forgeign Workers

Current Provincial Restrictions

The Provincial government has put in place a series of closures under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The Windsor and Essex County region is in Stage 3 of Ontario’s staged reopening plan. Closures under the EMCPA are enforceable by provincial offenses officers including local and provincial police.

Current Provincial Orders in effect:

  • Wearing of masks is required indoors in businesses and organizations, vehicles operating as part of the business or organization, and common areas of dwellings where a 2 metre distance cannot be maintained. For more information, visit Face Masks and Coverings

  • Closure of amusement parks and water parks;
  • Closure of saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars;
  • Closure of private karaoke rooms;
  • Closure of nightclubs, except for the purpose of serving food or drinks to patrons in accordance to requirements for restaurants and bars;
  • Closure of adult entertainment clubs;
  • Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments must stop alcohol service at 11p.m., and close by 12a.m., except for takeout or delivery service.
  • Table games at casinos and gaming establishments are prohibited;
  • Buffet-style food services are prohibited;
  • Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers (hired by the establishment following specific requirements) are prohibited;
  • Overnight stays at camps for children are prohibited;
  • Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports is prohibited;

Public and Private Gathering Limits for Stage 3 - Effective province-wide on September 19, 2020

  • Indoor gatherings for public or social events are limited to 10 people (including events partially indoors)
  • Outdoor gathering for public or social events are limited to 25 people

  • This applies to social gatherings in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas. This includes: functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, barbecues, wedding receptions

  • The new limits do not apply to events or gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities because they must already follow specific public health and safety guidelines to minimize risk and limit the spread of COVID-19. They include bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres or banquet halls, gyms, recreational sporting or performing art events, religious services, rites or ceremonies

  • Indoor events or gatherings cannot be combined with an outdoor gathering to increase the permitted size.
  • People gathering indoors for religious services, rites or ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, or funeral services may fill up to 30 per cent of the capacity of the particular room, as introduced in Stage 2.
  • In all cases, individuals are required to maintain physical distancing of at least two metres with people from outside their household or social circles;
  • When hosting an event, all businesses, services and public spaces must ensure physical distancing can be maintained, and gathering limits apply to an entire facility.

For more information and details for specific business sectors, see Stage 3: Restrictions on gatherings

For a full description of Stage 3, visit: A Framework for Reopening our Province: Stage 3

For more information on Ontario’s gradual, staged, and regional approach to reopening, including a description of all three stages, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario 

The County of Essex and the City of Windsor have declared a state of emergency.

Call 3-1-1 (in the City of Windsor) and municipal bylaw enforcement office in the County of Essex for inquiries or complaints related to:

  • Local non-essential businesses* which are operating in violation of the provincial orders

*Complaints related to Restaurants, Bars, Tobacconists, or Specialty Vape Stores can be directed to the WECHU at 519-258-2146 ext. 4475.

  • Members of the public not physically distancing or convening in groups of more than 10 people indoors, or 25 people outdoors.

For inquiries or complaints related to self-isolation or other provincial orders contact your local police non-emergency line:

Windsor Police Service
519-258-6111
LaSalle Police Service
519-969-5210
OPP
1-888-310-1122

Federal Actions:

  • Closure of all land border between the United States and Canada to non-essential travel
  • Mandatory 14-day self-isolation for all travelers returning to Canada except for essential workers

For more information on the mandatory isolation and the federal Quarantine Act, please review the Government of Canada News Release or website. For official global travel advisories, please visit the Government of Canada website.

For inquiries or to report a complaint related to violations of the Federal Quarantine Act contact your local police (non-emergency line):

Windsor Police Service
519-258-6111
LaSalle Police Service
519-969-5210
OPP
1-888-310-1122

Guidelines for the Safe Reopening of Businesses and Workplaces

The Ontario Government has collaborated with Ontario’s various health and safety associations to develop more than 90 sector-specific guidelines to resume operations during COVID-19. These guidelines will support employers in preparing their businesses and workplaces to reopen safely and ensure workers, customers, and the general public are protected. 

Guidance Documents from the Province of Ontario

Health Sector Resources

Testing Resources

Mental Health Resources

Guidance for Other Sectors

Guidance Documents from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Related Content: 

Novel Coronavirus
COVID-19
Travel
Last modified: 
Monday, October 19, 2020 - 8:49am