COVID-19 Protocols & Resources

Current Ontario Status
Upcoming March 21 Public Health Measures

Statement from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health

As Directives are revoked, individual organizations will continue to have the authority to keep requirements in place. Personal protective equipment and rapid antigen tests will continue to be provided to support health and safety in these settings.

  • Remove masking requirements in most places (including schools), except public transit, long-term care, retirement homes and other health-care settings, shelters, jails and congregate care and living settings, including homes for individuals with developmental disabilities
  • Lift other measures in schools, including removing cohorting and daily on-site screening
  • All other regulatory requirements for businesses removed, including passive screening, safety plans
  • Individuals can continue to opt to wear masks
  • Enhanced cleaning, optimizing air quality and ventilation and absence reporting will remain in schools

April 27: All remaining measures, directives and orders end

Technical Briefing

March 1, 2022

The latest measures include lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings. Ontario is also lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. Masking requirements remain in place at this time. A specific timeline to lift this measure will be communicated at a later date.

To manage COVID-19 over the long-term, local and regional responses by public health units may be deployed based on local context and conditions.

Related regulations to understand any impacts for your businesses and operations:

Full press release

Ontario Increasing Access to Free Rapid Tests

Starting February 9, over 2,300 participating grocery and pharmacy locations will provide free rapid tests while supplies last, with a limit of one box of five tests per household per visit. Participating retailers will receive additional supply from the province each week and have the ability to determine how tests are distributed in order to best serve the community, including through appointment bookings, at checkout or through online orders. A list of participating retailers as well as information on how retail locations are distributing rapid test kits can be found at Ontario.ca/rapidtest.

Reopening Resources:

There are also updated posters for businesses and organizations to print and display.

Guidance for Businesses and Organizations to support the implementation of the enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code and the Verify Ontario app.

January 28th Technical Briefing: Summary of Public Health and Workplace Safety Measures: Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen – Presentation Slides:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1i1_ZcGXCFsHrhY_hcV9fJ1Nlr_8UFLq3?usp=sharing

Effective January 31, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. Ontario will begin the process of gradually easing restrictions while maintaining protective measures, including but not limited to:

  • Increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
  • Increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to:
    • Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;
    • Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)
    • Shopping malls;
    • Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;
    • Cinemas;
    • Meeting and event spaces;
    • Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks;
    • Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions; and
    • Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
    • Religious services, rites, or ceremonies.
  • Allowing spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues and theatres to operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.

Enhanced proof of vaccination and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.

Full Press Release

Technical Briefing: Modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen – Presentation Slides:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V79ywCYm4Z3CTN4Ivco5_KWjG1iioX3J?usp=sharing

News Release:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001394/ontario-temporarily-moving-to-modified-step-two-of-the-roadmap-to-reopen

COVID-19 Public Health Measures and Advice:
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/public-health-measures

Lastest Benefits News

Resilience Fund

The Canadian Dance Assembly has responded to Canadian Heritage’s call for applications to the Performing Arts Worker Resiliency Fund.

CDA submitted an application for all dance artists.
As a result of the competition, Canadian Heritage awarded us a $3.88 million fund to provide direct support to independent and self-employed dancers.

CDA will provide a total of 1500 grants of $2500 each with the funding received.

The fund is intended to support dancers who perform.

MORE INFORMATION

Reactivation Fund

The Reactivation Program offers direct financial assistance for independent, self-employed, and gig workers in the live performance sector who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reactivation Program serves theatre, comedy, and circus performers, as well as technicians, production, and other live performance professionals who need financial support to maintain or regain work in the sector.

Program details and the application portal are at ArtsReactivation.ca.

Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB):

The federal government announced on December 30, 2021 that the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) is open for applications. It gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown, and it’s only available to those in a lockdown region who can’t work as a result of capacity restrictions. Learn more here

Ontario Providing Supports for Small Businesses, Workers and Families:

Province’s plan includes $10,000 grant for eligible small businesses and additional electricity-rate reliefThe provincial government announced the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for small businesses that are subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen. It will provide eligible small businesses with a grant payment of $10,000.

Eligible small businesses include:

  • Restaurants and bars;
  • Facilities for indoor sports and recreational fitness activities (including fitness centres and gyms);
  • Performing arts and cinemas;
  • Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions;
  • Meeting or event spaces;
  • Tour and guide services;
  • Conference centres and convention centres;
  • Driving instruction for individuals; and
  • Before- and after- school programs.

More info here

Updated Screening Tools
  • The COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Patrons) has been updated to align with requirements for patron screening per Step 3, and wording has been clarified from the previous version. The tool can be accessed online or downloaded (PDF) from the Ontario government website.
  • The COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Workers) has been updated. The tool can be accessed online or downloaded (PDF) from the Ontario government website.
  • The COVID-19 Signage Questions for Businesses and Organizations (Signage Instructions) has been simplified. The instructions can be downloaded (PDF) from the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidance for the Health Sector website.

Find out about the latest public health measures, advice and restrictions in your area. Please visit www.Ontario.ca/covidresponse for the full list of public health region classifications. Check which zone your region is in and find your public health unit. Regions are based on public health unit boundaries.

Besides the provincial health measures listed at www.Ontario.ca/covidresponse , there may also be additional local restrictions or requirements. Find these restrictions on your local municipality or public health unit’s website, which is linked from the map on this website.

Federal Resources
Provincial Resources
Funders Updates
Resources for Artists
Resources for Studios and Small Business
Health and Safety Guidance
Legal Resources
Impact
Mental Health and Wellness

The Resource Room – Live on Zoom / Online workshops supporting wellness & resilience in the dance community Hosted by DTRC https://www.facebook.com/events/247014299804705/

The AFC: Navigator

Navigator is a free, personalized, confidential assistance service that connects arts and entertainment industry workers to mental health resources, programs, and supports.

To access Navigator, you can make an appointment through the online booking system (scroll down) or call on Tuesdays, between 1 and 5 pm (ET) at 1.877.399.8392 (toll-free.) You are guaranteed a one-on-one, 30 minute phone consultation with a highly qualified specialist who will be able to talk you through your situation, suggest appropriate resources and services, or make a referral.

  • Behind the Scenes – Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative
    • Canadian Resources
    • #BeThe 1To – Suicide Prevention Resources
    • Stop Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation
    • Toolbox Talk outlines (and scripts for 90-120 second talks) to help you talk about Mental Health with your team
    • Anonymous Online Self-Assessment Tool
Financial Wellness

Please contact us with any suggestions/additions for this page.