What going into lockdown will mean for Waterloo region

The provincial government announced on Dec. 21 that it will place southern Ontario into lockdown starting at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 26 and it will last for at least 28 days.

As part of the lockdown measures, there can be no organized public events or gatherings except with people in the same household and single parents may consider having exclusive, close contact with another household. The limit for outdoor events or social gatherings is 10 people and individuals must remain physically distant.

The province also announced any elementary students who have been in the classroom will shift to online learning between Jan. 4 and 8. They are currently scheduled to return to the classroom on Jan. 11. Secondary students will return to in-person learning on Jan. 25.

Day camps for children are closed.

The province said child care will remain open during the shutdown, including at licensed or home-based care, however between Jan. 4 and 8, the care centres are prohibited from serving school-aged children. All before and after school programs are being closed during this one-week period as well.

The other restrictions for the 28-day lockdown are similar to the "grey/lockdown" rules listed below. You can also read the provincial document about the lockdown by clicking here.

An earlier version of this story is below.

The region's medical officer of health said this week that people in Waterloo region should prepare themselves for the "possibility of a lockdown."

The region would likely know on Friday if it will move from "red" to "grey." The province has been announcing moves within the colour-coded COVID-19 framework on Fridays with new restrictions taking effect on Mondays. Grey is the most restrictive section of the provincial framework.

With Christmas and New Years happening in the next two weeks, Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said it's unclear how exactly the timeline would work, but normally, anytime a region enters a new level of the framework above "green," the community stays there for a minimum of four weeks. Those four weeks represent two incubation periods for the virus, the minimum amount of time to give measures to work, she said.

Regions can move up in the framework within that four week period, but they cannot move down. 

For Waterloo region, the provincial rules state it will mean the closure of many businesses as well as community facilities and there can be no indoor gatherings of people outside the same household (with an exception for single-person households).

Waterloo region wouldn't be the first in lockdown. Toronto, Peel and York are already in the "Grey" zone.

The Ontario Hospital Association called on the province to impose new 28-day lockdowns for all parts of the province currently in the "Red." There have also been calls for more restrictions to be implemented over the holidays.

What it means for gatherings

The lockdown would mean there can be no indoor organized public events or social gatherings with people outside the same household. The only caveat is that individuals who live alone may have exclusive, close contact with one other household. This is to help reduce the negative impacts of social isolation.

Outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people and physical distancing must be maintained.

Religious services, including weddings and funerals, in a venue that isn't a private residence, can have 10 people indoors or outdoors, but everyone must be able to physically distance.

Virtual or drive-in events, such as religious services or ceremonies, are permitted.

What it means for restaurants

There will be no indoor or outdoor service permitted at restaurants.

Restaurants can still provide take out, drive-thrus and delivery. They can also continue to sell alcohol with food.

What it means for retail stores

Nearly all retail stores can be open for curbside pick-up or delivery.

Only limited stores will be permitted to be open for in-person shopping. Those include:

• Supermarkets.
• Grocery stores.
• Convenience stores.
• Hardware stores.
• Other retailers selling groceries.
• Beer and wine and liquor stores.
• Pharmacies.
• Safety supply stores.
• Pet supply stores.
• Vehicle sales by appointment only.
• Garden centres and plant nurseries can be open indoor by appointment, outdoor areas allowed to be open as well.
• Outdoor markets, including farmer's markets and holiday markets, can operate.

Stores allowed to have in-person shopping must keep capacity limits to 50 per cent. As well, anyone waiting in line, either inside or outside, must maintain a two metre distance from other people outside their household.

In shopping malls, stores can be open for pick-up or delivery. Access to malls will be for limited purposes including access to businesses or offices, such as a pharmacy or dentist. Food courts can be open for take-away. Malls can also create designated pick-up points inside or adjacent to the mall.

Sports, fitness and meeting facilities

Indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness facilities will be closed except for:

• Facilities used by high performance athletes and those used by professional sports leagues.
• Facilities that have a specified purpose such as running a day camp or child care.

Outdoor recreational amenities like ski hills, snow trails and ice rinks may remain open, but they cannot be used for team sports.

Community centres and multi-purpose facilities, like the YMCA, can be open for permitted activities, such as day camps, child care and social services.

Golf courses and driving ranges can be open for outdoor activities only and indoor facilities such as a clubhouse must be closed.

Indoor shooting ranges are closed.

What it means for libraries

Libraries can be open for curbside, delivery and pick-up. There would be limited numbers of people allowed into libraries and only for specific needs, such as contactless drop-off and pickup, to access computers or photocopiers or other services.

There can be no classes, but libraries can have services such as a day camp, child care services, mental health and addiction support services with a limit of 10 people.

What must close

The following businesses or services must close:

• Museums, art galleries, science centres or other cultural amenities unless offering a drive-in or drive-through exhibit.
• Nightclubs or strip clubs, unless they operate as a restaurant and then they can offer take-out, drive-thru or delivery.
• Personal care services.
• Casinos, bingo halls or gaming establishments.
• Cinemas, except for drive-ins or when they're used for rehearsal or performing spaces.
• Horse race tracks except for the purpose of training.
• Performing arts facilities to spectators, but they can be open for rehearsals or performing a recorded or broadcasted event, although performers and employees must keep a physical distance and singers and musicians playing brass or wind instruments must be separated from others by plexiglass or another similar barrier.
• Amusement parks and water parks.
• Zoos and aquariums, however, staff can go to work to care for the animals.
• Bathhouses and sex clubs.
• Boarding kennels and stables to the public. The animal's owner or a representative can visit the animal to care for it and give it exercise.
• In-person driving lessons cannot take place.
• Services offered by personal shoppers, party and wedding planners, personal organizer services, house sitters or fitness trainers cannot be in-person.
• Tour and guide services.
• Retail photo studios must close. Commercial and industrial photography is permitted to remain open.

What does it mean for my pet?

Veterinary services, and other businesses that provide health care for animals including farms, stables and shelters can remain open.

Businesses that help train service animals can remain open, as can grooming services, pet sitting, pet walking and pet training.

What it means for house maintenance

Indoor services such as housekeepers, cooks, personal affairs management, nanny services, babysitters and other "domestic personnel" are permitted.

Painters are permitted inside and outside. Pool cleaners or window washers are permitted outside as are general repair contractors.

If you are selling or buying a home, real estate agencies are permitted to operate, but in-person property showings are by appointment only.

What it means for hotels, motels, short-term rentals

Hotels and motels can be open but pools, fitness centres, meeting rooms and other recreational facilities must close.

Short-term rentals that had existing reservations will be honoured. No new reservations can be made.

What it means for campgrounds, marinas

People who have trailers or recreational vehicles and who use them for housing or who have a full-season contract are permitted in open campgrounds.

Only campsites with electricity, water service and facilities for sewage disposal may be used. Washrooms and showers can be open, but all other recreational facilities must be closed.

There can be no new reservations made at campgrounds, except by people who are in need of housing.

Marinas and boating clubs can be open, but clubhouses, restaurants, pools, meeting rooms, fitness centres or other recreational facilities must be closed to the public.