Race to a Cure Authors
- Jul 20, 2020

The New "Normal"

It has been over 4 months now since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic. After weeks and weeks of lockdown and quarantine measures being implemented across the world, cities are finally seeing eases in these restrictions, and the return to a new “normal” filled with lots of masks, hand washing and physical distancing.

Similarly, areas across Canada had been re-opening their economy in different ways, depending on the severity of the virus in different regions, according to phases outlined by each of their respective governments. Here is how provinces and territories are beginning to open amid the pandemic:

British Columbia

British Columbia is currently undergoing phase three of the four-phase BC's Restart Plan. In this phase, the following sites are opening up:

Parks, beaches, campgrounds and outdoor tourism
Faith-based institutions with a limit of 50 attendants
Hotels, motels, resorts and other accommodations
Long-term care facilities, allowing visitation from one designated family member
Motion picture and television production
Art performance centers

Alberta

Alberta is currently undergoing stage two of the three-stage Alberta's Relaunch Process. In this stage, the following places will open up:

K-12 schools
Libraries
Personal and wellness services
Movie theatres and instrumental concerts
Community halls
Team sports
Provincial campgrounds (at full capacity)
Pools

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is currently undergoing phase four of the five-phase Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. In this phase, the following areas will open back up:

Child and youth camps
Outdoor pools and spray parks
Libraries
Museums and galleries
Movie and live theatres
Recreational facilities
Community halls
Race tracks and rodeo-related activities
Car and trade shows

Manitoba

Manitoba is currently undergoing the last phase of its three-phase Restoring Safe Services strategy. In this phase, the following places will open:

Child care services and day camps
Outdoor amusement parks
Recreation facilities
Film production
Retail businesses (with occupation limitations removed)
Therapeutic or health care businesses

Ontario

Ontario is currently undergoing phase two of its three-phase COVID-19 Response Framework. In this phase, the following places will open up:

Outdoor spaces
Shopping malls
Personal services
Recreation facilities
Film and television production
Drive-in venues
Outdoor dining services

Quebec

Quebec is currently undergoing its Gradual Resumption of Activities plan. At this moment in the plan, the following places are opening:

Tourism businesses
Outdoor recreational facilities
Cultural establishments (excluding festivals and major events)
Children’s day and summer camps
Residential and long-term care homes
Educational childcare services
Healthcare services

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is currently undergoing level yellow of the four-level NB's Recovery Plan. In this level, the following places will open up:

Non-regulated health businesses
Water recreation facilities
Overnight camps
Community halls
Gyms, yoga and dance studios
Amusement centers and arcades
Trade shows and conferences
Personal service businesses
Pool halls and bowling alleys
Religious services

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is currently undergoing the Reopening Nova Scotia plan. At this moment in the plan, the following places will open back up:

Dine-in restaurants and bars
Personal services
Healthcare and dental care services
Campgrounds
Children’s playgrounds
Childcare and daycare centers

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is currently undergoing phase four of its four-phase Renew PEI Together plan. In this phase, the following places will open up:

Sport and recreational activities
Campgrounds
Personal services
Childcare centers
Non-urgent healthcare services

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is currently undergoing alert level two of a five-step Alert Level System plan. In this level, the following places will open up:

Places of worship
Gym and fitness facilities
Arenas and pools
Healthcare services
Bars and lounges
Indoor entertainment facilities

Nunavut

Nunavut is currently undergoing its Nunavut Path plan. At this moment in the plan, the following places will open up:

Workplaces
Retail outlets
Places of worship
Conference centers
Community halls
Gyms and pools
Healthcare and dental care facilities
Children’s daycares and camps
Parks
Playgrounds
Galleries, Museums and Libraries

Yukon

Yukon is currently undergoing phase two of its four-phase plan. In this phase, the following places will open up:

Dine-in restaurants
Personal care services
Playgrounds
Recreational centres
Libraries
Children’s daycares and camps

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories is currently undergoing phase two of its four-phase Emerging Wisely plan. In this phase, the following places will open up:

Outdoor tourism businesses
Movie theatres
Dine-in restaurants and lounges
Fitness centers
Personal services
Outdoor public events
Campgrounds
Pools
Community centers

Each region is taking its time and precautions when reopening, in order to minimize any further spread of the virus or a second wave. Furthermore, in many regions across the country, face masks have become mandatory in indoor settings. And in all places, physical distancing rules and measures are being firmly held in place.

It’s important to stay home as much as possible, as to avoid unnecessary contact with other people. And if you do decide to leave your home, make sure to take as many precautions as possible. This might be wearing a face mask and gloves, avoiding contact, and safely distancing yourself. Also, keep an eye out for a special series from us at R2AC, where we document how establishments across the country are opening up in the face of the pandemic.

No one is able to predict what the next six or twelve months are going to look like, but in order to achieve the best scenario possible considering the current circumstances, it’s important to all do our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Article Contributors: Asima Hudani, Valerie Shirobokov