THUNDER BAY – There are new regulations for businesses under COVID-19 in Ontario.
As of August 7th, 2020, all restaurant, bars, boat tours and guiding services will be required to keep client logs for a period of 30 days, and disclose the client logs to the medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act upon request, which will help support case and contact tracing.
These changes have been initiated through amendments to orders O. Reg 364/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 3 and O. Reg. 263/20: Rules for Areas in Stage 2, under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020.
Under these acts, the following is listed for food and drink establishments (which includes dining halls):
The person responsible for the establishment must,
- i. Record the name and contact information of every patron who enters an indoor or outdoor dining area in the establishment, other than patrons who temporarily enter the area to place, pick up or pay for a takeout order,
- ii. Maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and
- iii. Only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.
The following is listed for tour and guide services:
(1) Tour and guide services, including guided fishing and hunting trips, tastings and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries, trail riding tours, walking tours, bicycle tours and motor vehicle tours.
The tour or guide service must,
- i. Record the name and contact information of every patron,
- ii. Maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and
- iii. Only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.
Cleaning requirements
6. (1) The person responsible for a business or place that is open shall ensure that,
(a) any washrooms, locker rooms, change rooms, showers or similar amenities made available to the public are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition; and
(b) any equipment that is rented to, provided to, or provided for the use of members of the public must be cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary condition.
(2) For greater certainty, clause (1) (b) applies to computers, electronics, and other machines or devices that members of the public are permitted to operate.
