COVID-19: Guidelines for Businesses & Community Organizations

Last updated: September 30, 2021 at 6:40 p.m.

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

Toronto’s Health Measures

In Toronto, the following directives are in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The new COVID-19 variants of concern may spread more easily. It is more important than ever to follow these public health practices and get fully vaccinated to protect yourself and our community.

• Indoor organized events and social gatherings are permitted with up to 25 people. Outdoor organized events and social gatherings are permitted with up to 100 people. Physical distancing of at least two metres with those outside your household is required.
• Businesses should review their HVAC systems to ensure they are in good working order.
• Indoor and outdoor dining is permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect Indoor food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs and restobars, are permitted up to 25 per cent capacity or up to a maximum limit of 250 people (whichever is less).
• Indoor sports and recreational fitness activities are permitted subject to a maximum of 50 per cent capacity of the indoor space.
• Indoor and outdoor sport facilities with spectators are permitted at reduced capacity.
• Retail stores may open for in store shopping with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres.
• Personal care services, including services requiring the removal of a face covering, are permitted with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres..
• Overnight and day camps for children are permitted with public health measures.
• Indoor and outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas with spectators are permitted with reduced capacity.
• Museums, galleries, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, landmarks, botanical gardens, science centres, amusement parks, fairs and rural exhibitions, festivals are permitted with capacity limited to 50 per cent indoors and 75 per cent outdoors.
• Real estate open houses are permitted with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres.
• Meeting and event spaces are permitted to operate indoors and outdoors with physical distancing, capacity limits and other public health measures in effect.
• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments permitted to open with capacity limits and other restrictions.

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

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