Ontario extends COVID-19 orders, permits some dance classes in Brampton

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is extending orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario Act until Nov. 21, 2020, “to ensure the government continues to have the necessary tools to contain the spread of COVID-19.”

The province also said that dance classes can proceed with some modifications in modified Stage 2 zones such as Toronto, Ottawa, Peel (Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon) and York (Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Whitechurch-Stouffville, East Gwillimbury, Aurora, Georgina and King).

“With the cold and flu season upon us and the continuing high number of COVID-19 cases in certain parts of the province, it’s critical we continue to take the necessary steps to protect the health and safety of Ontarians,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in a statement.

“We have renewed the majority of orders to ensure we have the tools in place to address any urgent public health situations and support the continued delivery of critical services.”

Orders in effect under the ROA have been extended by 30 days with the following exceptions:

• Electricity Price for Regulated Price Plan (RPP) Consumers has only been extended until October 31, 2020. Beginning November 1, 2020, time of use customers will have the option of choosing between time of use electricity rates or tiered pricing.
• Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record will expire on October 22, 2020, as changes to the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, that recently came into force, make the order unnecessary.

Ontario is also amending emergency orders for regions under modified Stage 2 regulations (Toronto, Ottawa, York and Peel Regions) to clarify that classes delivered for the purpose of teaching or training amateur or professional dancers in dance techniques are permitted to operate provided specified conditions are met.

The province says that dance styles such as ballet, hip hop, and ballroom, can still be taught and practised safely when certain public health measures are followed, similar to other permitted activities, such as cheerleading and gymnastics.

Dance classes that do not meet the specified criteria, such as Zumba classes, are not permitted.

The province also says that regulations for areas in Stage 2 and 3 have been amended to remove restrictions on in-person teaching and instruction for fire departments.

The ROA came into force on July 24, 2020, to ensure some measures remained in place after the provincial declared emergency came to an end. Under the ROA, orders can be extended for up to 30 days at a time.