Non-essential retailers in Ontario allowed to reopen

View updated COVID-19 Requirements for retailers here.

The Ontario Government has announced the details on how non-essentials store in Ontario can begin to reopen their operations.

All non-essential retailers may reopen if they:

• Are able to limit the number of people in the store to one customer per four square metres of sales floor space to ensure physical distancing can be maintained at all times.
• Have a separate street-front entrance with measures in place that can enable physical distancing.
• Retailers in malls, outside of the Windsor-Essex County region

Explanation on some of the most frequently asked questions

• Retailers can now conduct “by appointment” sales AND/OR by  limiting customers (e.g. 1 customer per 4 square metres)
  You may do one or the other – but they cannot be combined.

• How is “retail” defined?
  Early conversations with Ontario government officials outlined to  RCC that “retail” should be defined based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) definition, and therefore would not include services that might occupy a retail setting, like Nail Salons, Tattoo Parlours or a Hairdresser.

• Where can I view the official regulations?
  The official regulation is available here.

For further information contact Sebastian Prins, Director, Government Relations (Ontario) at sprins@retailcouncil.org.