It's been 100 days since the first novel coronavirus case was reported in Toronto, and today, Ontario is permitting a small number of businesses to begin reopening as the spread of COVID-19 slows.
As of Monday, May 4, garden centres and nurseries that offer curbside pick-up and delivery, lawn care and landscaping companies, and automatic and self-serve car washes are among those allowed to reopen.
Some construction projects — including work on municipal projects, telecommunications, child-care centres, and schools — are also being allowed to resume operations.
READ: Select Ontario Businesses Can Reopen as Early as May 4
Additionally, auto dealerships can reopen, but by appointment only, and marinas and golf courses can prepare to reopen.
However, Premier Doug Ford has said these select businesses and workplaces must comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We are allowing certain businesses to reopen under strict guidelines because we are confident they can operate safely and adapt to the current environment,” said Premier Ford. “While further reductions in the spread are needed before we can begin reopening the province, we have the right framework and the right workplace guidelines in place to do so gradually and safely.”
As for reopening the rest of the province, the most recent framework said there must be a "consistent two-to-four week decrease in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases," as well as decreased hospitalization rates before the government can begin easing the emergency measures currently in place.
This comes as the number of confirmed cases in the province hit 17,553 on Sunday, which includes 12,005 resolved cases and 1,216 deaths.
