COVID-19: Guidelines for Businesses & Community Organizations

Last updated: January 22, 2021 at 2:55 p.m.

This page provides links to COVID-19 guidance documents that help businesses and community organizations operate safely.

Toronto’s Health Measures

A province-wide declaration of emergency and stay-at-home order are in effect. In Toronto, the following directives are in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19:

• Restrict close contact only to members of your household, and essential supports.
• Having family or friends who are not members of your household in your home for a social visit is not permitted under provincial orders. Essential support workers and emergency repairpersons are allowed.
• Outdoor organized public events or social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 5 people.
• Businesses and workplaces must implement work-from-home wherever possible.
• Businesses should review their HVAC systems to ensure they are in good working order.
• Indoor dining, outdoor dining and patios are not permitted. Take-out, drive-through and delivery options remain available and are strongly encouraged to support local businesses.
• All indoor gyms and recreational programs are closed, with some City-operated community centres open for community supports such as food banks.
• Malls are closed, except for essential businesses.
• All non-essential retail stores are closed, except for curbside pickup. Large retailers with a grocery section can remain open at reduced capacity.
• Capacity of big box and essential businesses is reduced.
• All hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and tattoo parlours are closed.
• Meeting and event spaces will remain closed.
• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments remain closed.
• Stay home except for essential reasons, such as groceries and other necessities, including pharmacy visits, healthcare appointments, exercise, child care, and work, if you can’t do it remotely.

On January 4, 2021, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health issued a Letter of Instruction to all employers in the City of Toronto permitted to be open under the Reopening Ontario Act. Employers permitted to be open are required to take the additional measures set out in this Letter to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Search for Guidelines & Resources

All business and workplace owners and operators should read the Health guidelines for businesses and workplaces.

We also recommend that all businesses and organizations read the Anti-Black Racism Analysis Tool for a Radically Equitable COVID-19 Response.

Businesses and community organizations must follow Government of Ontario and City of Toronto guidelines. Toronto Public Health’s guidance includes both provincial and City recommendations.

Also learn about the economic support and resources, including one-on-one virtual support, the City is providing to businesses and download printable posters for your workplace.

Search below for guidance for specific sectors

Businesses/Organizations	Guidelines & Resources
Construction	There are currently no specific health guidelines for this sector. Please refer to the Health Guidelines for business and workplaces.
Faith-based organizations and places of worship	Toronto Public Health guidance for faith-based organizations
Retail, shopping malls, and fitting rooms	Toronto Public Health guidelines for retail stores and shopping malls Screening posters for retail entrances City Programs: CurbTO and CafeTO Webinar: Reopening Guidance for the Retail Sector
Vehicle dealerships and retailers	There are currently no specific health guidelines for this sector. Please refer to the Health Guidelines for business and workplaces.
Health services	Toronto Public Health guidelines for harm reduction programs
Community services	Toronto Public Health guidelines for community agencies Toronto Public Health guidelines for homelessness services and congregate living settings Toronto Public Health guidance for emergency warming centres City program: Shelter Interim Recovery Strategy
Sports and recreational fitness activities and facilities	Toronto Public Health guidelines for parks and recreation facilities Toronto Public Health guidelines for community and allotment gardens Toronto Public Health guidelines for golf courses Toronto Public Health guidelines for indoor playgrounds Toronto Public Health guidelines for outdoor playgrounds and fitness equipment Toronto Public Health guidelines for sports and recreational fitness facilities Toronto Public Health guidelines for arenas Toronto Public Health guidelines for dance studios Toronto Public Health guidelines for hockey Toronto Public Health guidelines for outdoor ice rinks Toronto Public Health guidelines for winter sports and activities
Professional services related to research and development	There are currently no specific health guidelines for this sector. Please refer to the Health Guidelines for business and workplaces.
Emissions inspection facilities	There are currently no specific health guidelines for this sector. Please refer to the Health Guidelines for business and workplaces.
Animal & veterinary services (e.g. grooming, walking, and training)	Toronto Public Health guidelines for use of dog parks
Child Care	Toronto Public Health’s guidelines for child care centres Screening posters for child care centres City program: CampTO
Indoor and outdoor household services (e.g. babysitters, house cleaning)	There are currently no specific health guidelines for this sector. Please refer to the Health Guidelines for business and workplaces.
Maintenance	Toronto Public Health guidelines for commercial or residential buildings Common areas and face masks posters
Short-term rentals	Toronto Public Health guidelines for commercial or residential buildings (landlords entering a rental unit) Common areas and face masks posters
Personal care services	Toronto Public Health guidelines for personal service settings, includes: Hair salons and barber shops Hair salons and barber shops in long-term care and retirement homes Nails and aesthetic services Tattooing and body piercing BodySafe personal service settings reopening poster Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars are not yet permitted to open
Personal services (e.g. house sitting, party planning)	There are currently no specific health guidelines for this sector. Please refer to the Health Guidelines for business and workplaces.
Restaurants, bars & nightclubs	Toronto Public Health guidelines for food premises, includes: Farmers markets Stores Food banks Food trucks Restaurants, bars and other food service premises DineSafe restaurant reopening poster (also available in French) Collection of information notice (also available in French) Sample customer log Toronto Public Health guidance for adult entertainment clubs Buffet-style food services, private karaoke rooms, and dancing (excluding hired performers) are not yet permitted
Photography	There are currently no specific health guidelines for this sector. Please refer to the Health Guidelines for business and workplaces.
Media Industries  / Film & TV	Toronto Public Heath Guidelines for Film and TV
Tour & guide services	Toronto Public Health Guidelines for tour and guide services
Water recreational facilities	Toronto Public Health Guidelines for recreational water facilities, including pools, spas, wading pools and splash pads City program: SwimTO Water parks are not yet permitted to open
Outdoor recreational facilities	Toronto Public Health Guidelines for parks and recreation facilities
Beaches, parks & camping	Toronto Public Health guidelines for parks and recreation facilities Toronto Public Health guidelines for winter sports and activities City program: SwimTO Overnight stays at camps for children are not yet permitted
Team sports and live sporting events	Toronto Public Health Guidelines for parks and recreation facilities Toronto Public Health guidance for indoor and outdoor events and gatherings
Live shows, performing arts and movie theatres	Toronto Public Health guidelines for drive-in and drive-thru events Toronto Public Health guidance for indoor and outdoor events and gatherings Toronto Public Health guidance for adult entertainment clubs
Libraries	Stage 1: curbside pickup Stage 2: computer access, scheduled pickup and returns at drop boxes Stage 3: reopening with some modifications
Community centres	Toronto Public Health Guidelines for parks and recreation facilities
Attractions & heritage institutions (includes interactive exhibits)	Toronto Public Health guidelines for cultural and heritage institutions and attractions Amusement parks and table games are not yet permitted
Events & event spaces (e.g. convention centres, weddings and funerals)	Toronto Public Health guidance for indoor and outdoor events and gatherings Toronto Public Health guidance for planning a funeral reception or celebration of life Toronto Public Health guidance for planning a wedding
Correctional facilities	Toronto Public Health guidelines for correctional facilities
Funeral homes	Toronto Public Health guidelines for funeral homes and cemeteries Toronto Public Health guidance for planning a funeral reception or celebration of life
Long-term care homes	Toronto Public Health guidelines for Long-Term Care Homes
Transportation	Toronto Public Health guidelines for public transit & taxis and ride shares
Educational institutions & instructional services	Toronto Public Health guidelines for educational institutions & instructional services, includes: Elementary and Secondary Schools Colleges and Universities In-person Instructional Services In-vehicle driver training (written by Infrastructure Health & Safety)
Employers, businesses & workplaces	Toronto Public Health guidance for employers, businesses & workplaces

Some businesses and organizations may have services that fit into multiple stages of reopening. Always refer to the Provincial reopening framework to understand what services your business or organization can offer within each stage. Ontario businesses who have questions can call the Province’s toll-free line: 1-888-444-3659