The Ontario government is moving the province into Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 16, 2021 based on improving key health care indicators and a high provincewide vaccination rate. Step Three of the roadmap focuses on the resumption of additional indoor services with larger numbers of people and restrictions in place.
Prohibition on in-person open houses will be lifted in Step Three
Of significant importance for the real estate industry and our Members is that with Step 3, the prohibition on in-person real estate open houses will be lifted, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres. TRREB urges caution, and continues to advise Members to consider everyone’s health and safety first and foremost when deciding to host an in-person open house. It is suggested you limit showings to one family group in the property at a time.
Please refer to these best practices which are applicable to in-person open houses and showings.
Reminders about previously lifted restrictions
Short-Term Rentals – The booking of short-term rentals for recreational purposes is permitted.
Inter-Provincial Travel – Non-essential travel between Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec is also permitted as the ban on interprovincial travel was lifted back on June 16.
Residential Evictions Resumed – Eviction orders for all tenancies subject to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) resumed on June 2, with the end of the Stay-At-Home Order.
The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is carrying on most of its business using virtual video conferencing tools. Members who own investment properties or who are supporting clients, can visit the LTB website to learn more.
Activities permitted under Step Three include, but are not limited to:
- Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people with limited exceptions;
- Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people;
- Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing;
- Indoor dining permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect;
- Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to open subject to a maximum 50 per cent capacity of the indoor space. Capacity for indoor spectators is 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 people (whichever is less). Capacity for outdoor spectators is 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 15,000 people (whichever is less);
- Indoor meeting and event spaces permitted to operate with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect and capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people (whichever is less);
- Essential and non-essential retail 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, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
- Museums, galleries, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, landmarks, botanical gardens, science centres, casinos/bingo halls, amusement parks, fairs and rural exhibitions, festivals, with capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity indoors and 75 per cent capacity outdoors;
- Concert venues, cinemas, and theatres permitted to operate at:
- up to 50 per cent capacity indoors or a maximum limit of 1,000 people for seated events (whichever is less)
- up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum limit of 5,000 people for unseated events (whichever is less); and up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum of 15,000 people for events with fixed seating (whichever is less).
- Real estate open houses with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres; and
- Indoor food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs and restobars, permitted up to 25 per cent capacity or up to a maximum limit of 250 people (whichever is less).
Face coverings in indoor public settings and physical distancing requirements will continue to be required throughout Step Three, with face coverings being required in some outdoor public settings as well.
The province will remain in Step Three of the Roadmap for at least 21 days and until 80 per cent of the eligible population aged 12 and over has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 75 per cent have received their second, with no public health unit having less than 70 per cent of their population fully vaccinated. Upon meeting these thresholds, the vast majority of public health and workplace safety measures, including capacity limits for indoor and outdoor settings and limits for social gatherings, will be lifted. Only a small number of measures will remain in place, including the requirement for passive screening, such as posting a sign, and businesses requiring a safety plan.