Ontario’s three-phased opening plan brought welcome news in June 2021. The province announced a three-stage plan to open businesses. It also set out a gradual easing of shopping, social gatherings and religious gatherings.
This post was first published on June 7, 2021. The rules below are from that time and no longer apply.
How COVID-19 changed daily life before the reopening
The COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives in many ways. It changed the way we work, and most of us were working from home. It changed the way we meet people, with social distancing. Just as much, the pandemic changed our habits of personal hygiene, like washing and sanitizing our hands.
In addition, we learned to protect ourselves and others by wearing masks, and the list goes on. So when the three-phased opening plan arrived, many families felt real relief. We were all eager to get out and enjoy the beautiful sunny days.
Good news also seemed to come one piece after another. Just the week before, the FDA approved a drug to treat COVID-19 patients. Please note that this was other than the vaccine, which is a prevention regime against the virus.
What the three-phased opening plan covered
On the day this post was written, the province of Ontario announced its three-stage plan. A good article appeared that day in The Globe and Mail. Here is an excerpt from the article for your quick review.
Phase one of the three-phased opening plan
Here are the highlights of what’s allowed under the first phase:
- Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people (a government spokesperson confirmed different households can mix).
- Patios with up to four people at each table.
- Retail will begin reopening with a 15-per-cent cap for non-essential businesses, 25 per cent for essential retail.
- Outdoor religious ceremonies and rite with capacity limits and two-metre physical distancing requirements.
- Outdoor sports and training for up to 10 people allowed.
- Day camps, campgrounds, Ontario Parks, horse racing, speedways, outdoor pools, zoos, splash pads allowed.
Phase two highlights
Here are the highlights of what’s allowed under the second phase:
- Outdoor gatherings for up to 25 people, indoor gatherings for up to 5 people.
- Outdoor patio tables will be able to have up to six people.
- Non-essential retail capacity will be increased to 25 per cent.
- Personal care settings with face masks worn at all times.
- Outdoor meeting and event spaces, amusement parks, water parks, boat tours, county fairs, sports leagues and events, cinemas and arts venues will be allowed to reopen.
Phase three highlights
Here are the highlights of what’s allowed under the third phase:
- Large indoor, outdoor gatherings and indoor dining.
- Greater expansion of capacity for retail businesses.
- Larger indoor religious services, rites and ceremonies.
- Indoor meeting, event spaces.
- Indoor sports, recreational facilities.
- Casinos and bingo halls.
- Indoor seated events, attractions, cultural amenities.
- Other outdoor, phase two activities will be allowed to operate indoors.
What the three-phased opening plan meant for home buyers
For people planning a move, each step of the three-phased opening plan mattered. Real estate never fully stopped during the pandemic. However, showings and open houses had to follow strict safety rules. As limits eased, buyers could see homes with more confidence.
I wrote about how open houses worked as the rules relaxed in my post on conducting open houses after the Step 3 opening. You can also read what changed when Ontario reopened facilities in Phase 2. Together, these posts show how the market adjusted step by step.
For sellers, the reopening also meant more foot traffic. Therefore, many sellers took the time to tidy, repair and stage their homes. Those small jobs still pay off today, in any market.
Planning a move as Ontario reopened
Every family’s plan looks different. You may want to buy, sell or both. You may want to move to a bigger house, or you may be downsizing. In each case, a clear plan helps you avoid rushed choices.
Here are a few steps that worked then and still work now:
- Write down why you want to move and when you need to be settled.
- Get a mortgage pre-approval before you start seeing homes.
- If you own a home, get a realistic idea of its value first.
- Decide whether you will buy first or sell first, and plan for both cases.
A professional can often suggest a better solution, sometimes beyond what you first had in mind. Much has changed since the three-phased opening plan, yet the basics of a smart move have not. For a current view of the market, you can read my guide to what buyers should do this fall.
Sources and the full article
You can read about Ontario’s public health rules on the Government of Ontario website. To read the full article, click the link below:
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Talk to a Mississauga real estate agent
Do you have questions about buying, selling or planning your next move? I am happy to help. You can reach me through my contact page or call me directly at 416 908 5600. A. Q. Mufti, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage.
