Last updated: April 16, 2021 at 7:40 p.m.
The information on this page provides you with what you need to know to re-open your restaurant, or other food premises, after being closed.
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.
Also read Toronto Public Health’s guidance for entertainment venues.
On April 16, the Government of Ontario announced that effective Saturday, April 17 at 12:01 a.m., capacity limits in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted will be reduced to 25 per cent. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers’ markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies. This page will soon be updated with more information.
The following recommendations are intended to help organizers, staff and vendors participating in farmers’, fresh food and holiday markets reduce the spread of COVID-19. These markets primarily sell local goods, fresh fruits, vegetables and foods that do not require onsite food preparation.
Owners, operators and vendors are responsible for ensuring that their market is in compliance with these public health guidelines, all emergency orders made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 and O. Reg. 493/17: Food Premises. As every market will be different, it is the responsibility of owners/operators and vendors to review their own policies, procedures, and site-specific operations, while ensuring that the appropriate infection prevention and control measures are implemented and maintained. More information about COVID-19 can be found in the COVID-19 Fact Sheet.
The aim and purpose of this document is to assist individuals and businesses with information related to the Ontario Government’s reopening framework as well as Toronto Public Health requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It is important to know that breaches of some of these directions will constitute offences under provincial regulations or other public health legal requirements. While we aim to provide relevant and timely information, no guarantee can be given as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided. This guidance is not intended to nor does it provide legal advice and should not be relied upon or treated as legal advice. Users seeking legal advice should consult with a qualified legal professional.
Review the Guidance for Employers on Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace to plan and implement protocols to keep staff and customers safe. Operators must also consider the following:
Download this information as a PDF.
Read Toronto Public Health’s Guidance for Food Banks and Donation Centres.
On April 16, the Government of Ontario announced that effective Saturday, April 17 at 12:01 a.m., capacity limits in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted will be reduced to 25 per cent. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers’ markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies. This page will soon be updated with more information.
The following guidance is to support owners and operators of food stores, including grocery stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Owners and operators are responsible for ensuring that their food store is in compliance with these public health guidelines, and all emergency orders made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020. As every food store will be different, it is the responsibility of owners/operators to review their own policies, procedures, and site-specific operations, while ensuring that the appropriate infection prevention and control measures are implemented and maintained. Food premises must also comply at all times with O. Reg. 493/17: Food Premises made under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. More information about COVID-19 can be found in the Toronto Public Health (TPH) COVID-19 Fact Sheet
The aim and purpose of this document is to assist individuals and businesses with information related to the Ontario Government’s reopening framework as well as Toronto Public Health requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It is important to know that breaches of some of these directions will constitute offences under provincial regulations or other public health legal requirements. While we aim to provide relevant and timely information, no guarantee can be given as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided. This guidance is not intended to nor does it provide legal advice and should not be relied upon or treated as legal advice. Users seeking legal advice should consult with a qualified legal professional.
Review the Guidance for Employers on Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace to plan and implement protocols to keep staff and customers safe. Operators must also consider the following:
*Discount and big box stores that offer other permitted retail and/or services may be subject to additional requirements including but not limited to: 25% capacity limits, attendance by appointment, and hours of operation. For more information, see Guidance for Retail Settings.
Download this information as a PDF.
Further guidance for food premises is available on the Ontario Ministry of Health’s website.
The following guidance should be used by owners and operators of restaurants, bars, food trucks, concession stands and other food or drink establishments, to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Owners and operators are responsible for ensuring that their restaurant, bar or other food service premises is in compliance with all applicable legislative requirements under provincial and municipal law, including all emergency orders made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020. As every restaurant, bar or other food service premises will be different, it is the responsibility of owners/operators to review their own policies, procedures, and site-specific operations, while ensuring that the appropriate infection prevention and control measures are implemented and maintained. As well, food premises must comply at all times with O. Reg. 493/17: Food Premises made under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. More information about COVID-19 can be found in the Toronto Public Health (TPH) COVID-19 Fact Sheet.
The aim and purpose of this document is to assist businesses and organizations with information related to the Ontario Government’s reopening framework as well as Toronto Public Health requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It is important to know that breaches of some of these directions will constitute offences under provincial regulations or other public health legal requirements. While we aim to provide relevant and timely information, no guarantee can be given as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided. This guidance is not intended to nor does it provide legal advice and should not be relied upon or treated as legal advice. Users seeking legal advice should consult with a qualified legal professional.
O. Reg. 82/20 requires the person responsible for a businesses or organization that is open to ensure that the business or organization operates in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the requirements set out below:
Health Screening |
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Masks and Face Coverings |
Other Requirements:
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) |
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Capacity Limits |
Limit the number of people in the place of business or facility so that:
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Physical Distancing |
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Entrances and Managing Lines |
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Safety Plan |
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Sale and Service of Alcohol |
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Cleaning and Disinfecting |
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Restaurants, bars, food trucks, concession stands and other food or drink establishments may open only if they meet the following conditions, as set out in O. Reg. 82/20:
Prohibition of Indoor and Outdoor Dining |
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Indoor Dining |
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Shopping Malls |
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The following strategies are offered to assist restaurants, bars, food trucks, concession stands and other food or drink establishments in meeting and/or enhancing compliance with the requirements set out in Sections 1 and 2 of this document.
Review the Guidance for Employers on Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace to plan and implement protocols to keep staff and customers safe. Operators should also consider the following:
Download this information as a PDF.
Student nutrition programs (SNPs) provide nutritious meals and snacks to students to give them the nutrients and energy they need to be ready to learn. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that SNPs continue to offer access to safe, adequate and nutritious food during the school day, as outlined in the Nutrition Guidelines for Student Nutrition Programs.
The following interim guidance is to support SNP volunteer coordinators, parents, community members and staff operate an SNP, and to reduce the spread of COVID-19. SNPs must operate in accordance with all emergency orders made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, in addition to Ontario Regulation 493/17 – Food Premises. As every SNP site will be different, it is the responsibility of SNP volunteer coordinators to review their own policies, procedures, and site-specific operations, while ensuring that the appropriate infection prevention and control measures are implemented and maintained.
More information about COVID-19 can be found in the Toronto Public Health (TPH) COVID-19 Fact Sheet.
*Note: SNPs should use the appropriate poster designated by the site where it operates.
Download this information as a PDF (also available in French).
Learn more about student nutrition programs (also available in French).