Lockdown in Toronto and Peel
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The government of Ontario has placed Peel and Toronto into lockdown for at minimum 28 days, starting today.
This does not directly affect the ability of RMTs to practice, as regulated health professionals are permitted to continue to provide healthcare services keeping with restrictions in place for physical distancing, patient screening and infection control measures.
However, this may impact RMTs financially if they work at a spa or fitness centre that has been closed, or if many of their patients no longer feel comfortable accessing massage therapy care at this time.
If you’ve had a reduction of your weekly income of at least 50% as compared to the previous year due to COVID-19, you would be eligible for the Canada Response Benefit (CRB).
If you are eligible for the CRB, you can receive $1,000 ($900 after taxes withheld) for a 2-week period.
If your situation continues past 2 weeks, you will need to apply again. You may apply up to a total of 13 eligibility periods (26 weeks) between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021.
Measures under lockdown include but are not limited to:
- Schools, before and after school programs, and child care will remain open;
- Post-secondary schools open for virtual learning with some limited exceptions for training that can only be provided in-person, such as clinical training or training related to a trade;
- No indoor organized public events or social gatherings except with members of the same household. Individuals who live alone, including seniors, may consider having exclusive, close contact with one other person;
- Outdoor organized public events or social gatherings limited to a maximum of 10 people;
- Wedding services, funeral services and religious services, rites or ceremonies where physical distancing can be maintained can have up to 10 people indoors or 10 people outdoors;
- Retail permitted to be open for curbside pick-up or delivery only, with certain exceptions such as for supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, discount and big box retailers selling groceries, beer, wine and liquor stores, safety supply stores, and convenience stores, which will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity;
- Restaurants, bars, and food and drink establishments will only be able to provide takeout, drive-through and delivery. Indoor and outdoor dining services are prohibited;
- Personal care services closed;
- Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments closed; and
- Indoor sports and recreational facilities, including pools, closed with limited exceptions.
The following areas also move to the following levels today:
Red-Control :
- Durham Region Health Department; and
- Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services.
Orange-Restrict
- Huron Perth Public Health;
- Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit;
- Southwestern Public Health;
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
Yellow-Protect
- Chatham-Kent Public Health;
- Eastern Ontario Health Unit;
- Grey Bruce Health Unit;
- Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health;
- Peterborough Public Health; and
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit.