Ontario announces continued closures for north, and for schools

Earlier today, Ontario announced that the lockdown of northern Ontario would continue until at least January 23, 2021. Ontario will continue to review COVID case numbers and further adjustments to all reopening dates may be required. 

In addition, Ontario announced today that online learning would continue for all students until January 25, 2021. For retailers, this could have implications for our workforce. In scenarios where employees cannot work because they need to supervise their children, RCC would remind employers that (1) employees may be eligible to be placed on Ontario’s Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL) instead of a temporary layoff under the Employment Standards Act; and, (2) that employees unable to work as a result of child care obligations are eligible for the federal Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) program.

For more information, email Sebastian Prins at sprins@retailcouncil.org.