COVID-19 Requirements for Retailers by Region

Updated March 1, 2022

Retailers considered “essential”/
allowed to open:

• All retailers are permitted to open.

Maximum number of people in store/ physical distancing requirements:

• No capacity limits
  Personal Protective Equipment required:
• Provincially, face masks are no longer required.

Employee screening:

• Encourage employees to self monitor

Customer screening:

• There are no rules related to customer screening.

Returns:

• There are no COVID rules related to returns.

Fitting rooms:

• There are no COVID rules related to fitting rooms.

Reusable bags/ bagging:

• Reusable bags are permitted.

Bulk bins:

• There are no COVID rules related to bulk bins.

Guidance documents:

• COVID guidance documents have been discontinued.

Travel restrictions (regional):

• Interprovincial travel is permitted with no restrictions.

Operational Plan Required:

• No specific operational plan for COVID-19 has been required, however OH&S plans must factor in all risks, including those related to COVID.

Updated February 28, 2022

Retailers considered “essential”/
allowed to open:

• All retailers are permitted to open.

Maximum number of people in store/ physical distancing requirements:

• Retail stores across the province (all regions) are permitted to operate at 100% of fire code allowance.

Personal Protective Equipment required:

• There are no provincial masking requirements for employees or customers.

Employee screening:

• All workers, especially those in constant contact with the public should self -monitor for symptoms and use the self-assessment tool.

Customer screening:

• There are no rules related to customer screening.

Returns:

• There are no COVID rules related to returns.

Fitting rooms:

• There are no COVID rules related to fitting rooms.

Reusable bags/ bagging:

• Reusable bags are permitted.

Bulk bins:

• There are no COVID rules related to bulk bins.

Guidance documents:

• COVID guidance documents have been discontinued.

Travel restrictions (regional):

• Interprovincial travel is permitted with no restrictions.

Operational Plan Required:

• No specific operational plan for COVID-19 has been required, however OH&S plans must factor in all risks, including those related to COVID.

Updated March 14, 2022

Retailers considered “essential”/
allowed to open:

• All retail stores across the province are permitted to open.

Maximum number of people in store/ physical distancing requirements:

• Retail stores may operate at 100% throughout the province.

Personal Protective Equipment required:

• There are no provincial masking requirements for employees or customers.

Employee screening:

• Staff should self-screen before coming into work.

Customer screening:

• Thee are no customer screening requirements

Returns:

• There are no COVID rules related to returns.

Fitting rooms:

• There are no COVID rules related to fitting rooms.

Reusable bags/ bagging:

• Reusable bags are permitted.

Bulk bins:

• There are no COVID rules related to bulk bins.

Guidance documents:

• COVID guidance documents have been discontinued.

Travel restrictions (regional):

• None

Operational Plan Required:

• No specific operational plan for COVID-19 has been required.

Updated March 21, 2021

Maximum number of people in store/ physical distancing requirements:

• Capacity limits have been lifted in all indoor public settings

Personal Protective Equipment required:

• There is no province-wide mask mandate in retail, restaurants and office settings. RCC has been in touch with the Health units, and is not aware of any local-level restrictions.

Employee screening:

• No employee screening is required for retailers, restaurants or offices (neither active nor passive).

Customer screening:

• No customer screening is required for retailers, restaurants or offices (neither active nor passive).

Returns:

• Returns are allowed.

Fitting rooms:

• Use of fitting rooms allowed without restrictions.

Reusable bags/ bagging:

• No restrictions or guidance from the province on the use of reusable bags.

Bulk bins:

• No province guidance on bulk bins.

Guidance documents:

• Click here for historical guidance, to see what Ontario formally recommended for Food Retail and General Retail

Travel restrictions (regional):

• No restrictions

• Operational Plan Required:

• No Safety/Operational Plan required.

Updated on February 23, 2022

Retailers considered “essential”/
allowed to open:

• All retailers are allowed to open, including both essential and non-essential businesses.

Maximum number of people in store/ physical distancing requirements:

• Capacity restriction for retailers has been lifted on February 21, 2022.
• Dining rooms can be open at 50% capacity and 10 people or 3 “bubbles” per table. Capacity restriction for restrictions for restaurants to be lifted on March 14, 2022.

Personal Protective Equipment required:

• Non-medical masks or face coverings are required for customers inside most indoor public places including retail stores and shopping centres. View Mask Requirements  for more information. For all workers procedural masks or certified masks are mandatory. View information on EPI requirements (French only) .

Employee screening:

• Quebec recommends screening employees regularly for health issues. Public Health has implemented a screening protocol using the use of rapid tests in companies to reduce the risk of outbreaks – it is a voluntary measure.
• A self-assessment tool is now available online

Fitting rooms:

• Quebec has no guidance on fitting rooms.

Reusable bags/ bagging:

• The province has recommended customers bag their own items. A company can, however, choose to offer packing or bagging services using reusable bags in accordance with the hygiene measures in place for the on-site employees. Likewise, reusable containers may be brought in by consumers and handled by employees, as long as employees wash their hands after handling containers belonging to consumers.

Bulk bins:

• Bulk bins are allowed but discouraged. Retailers are currently authorized to prepackage foods from bulk containers in order to limit handling by the public, without labeling them as long as the packaging is located near the original containers so that customers can take note of the necessary information (name, list of ingredients, price / weight or volume), until the sanitary situation is restored.

Guidance documents:

• Gouvernement du Québec – measures in force
• INSPQ – Hiérarchie des mesures de contrôle en milieu de travail (French only)
• INSPQ – Commerces (INSPQ)
• CNESST – Guidance
• CNESST – Q&A

Travel restrictions (regional):

• Interprovincial travel is permitted with no restrictions.

Operational Plan Required:

• No specific operational plan for COVID-19 has been required.

Updated on March 15, 2022

As of March 14, 2022, all relevant COVID-19 restrictions have been removed (eg: masking, physical distancing).

Guidance documents:

• Winter Action Plan – Alert Levels.
• WorkSafeNB Guidance Documents: Working Safely Amid COVID-19 and other Communicable Diseases developing a communicable disease prevention plan: four-step approach and template

Updated March 21, 2022

As of March 21, 2022, all relevant COVID-19 restrictions have been removed (eg: masking, physical distancing).

Guidance documents

• Reopening Plan.
• Labour, Skills and Immigration’s (LSI) Employers’ Guide for COVID-19 and Communicable Disease

Updated March 14, 2022.

As of March 14, 2022, all relevant COVID-19 restrictions have been removed (eg: masking, physical distancing).

Guidance documents:

• All RCC members are allowed to open.

• Outline of 3 step process for lifting COVID-19 restrictions – Feb 21, 28 and March 14
• Summary table for 3 step process for lifting COVID-19 restrictions

• Proof of vaccination requirements

Updated on March 17, 2022

Retailers considered “essential”/
allowed to open:

• All retailers are permitted to open.

Maximum number of people in store/ physical distancing requirements:

• 75% capacity for retail and restaurants with physical distancing between individuals. Proof of vaccination discontinued as of February 28, 2022.

Personal Protective Equipment required:

• Non-medical masks are required in all indoor public spaces.  View mask requirements and exemptions. Recommendations include 2 metre physical distancing, frequent hand washing / hand washing facilities, hand sanitizer (min of 60% alcohol), enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of workplace – especially high touch areas.  Consider physical barriers when physical distancing can’t be maintained.

Employee screening:

• Employee Self Monitoring. See Operational Plan Template..

Customer screening:

• Each retailer must have an operational plan. In any retail setting where people are seated while eating or drinking, proof of vaccination is required.

Returns:

• Returns are currently allowed.

Fitting rooms:

• Use of fitting rooms allowed.

Reusable bags/ bagging:

• Reusable bags are permitted.

Bulk bins:

• Bulk bins are allowed. As part of their COVID-19 operational plans, retailers must have protocols that will be implemented to ensure that self-serve can be done safely.

Guidance documents:

• Moving On – Transition Plan to Living with COVID-19
• COVID-19 Operational Plan Template
• Proof of vaccination requirements

Travel restrictions (regional):

• None.

Operational Plan Required:

• All businesses are required to complete an operational plan.  Inspectors will be asking businesses to produce their plan during inspections. View plan template.

Updated February 22, 2022

Retailers considered “essential”/
allowed to open:

• All retailers are permitted to open, but at maximum 50 per cent capacity as of January 7, 2022 this remains the case as of February 22, 2022. Businesses are strongly recommended to have operational plans in place to limit close contact between people and keep their employees and customers safe.
• Proof of vaccination for those 19 and older is required for movie theatres and they can operate at 50 per cent capacity.
• Personal services may be offered with no venue capacity limits, proof of vaccination is required for those 19 and older.
• Proof of vaccination for those 19 and older required for table service at restaurants, bars, and nightclubs with a limit of six people per table; tables need to be spaced two metres (six feet) apart and moving between tables is not allowed.

Maximum number of people in store/ physical distancing requirements:

• Stores must be at maximum 50 per cent capacity and must allow for 2 metres of physical distancing between individuals.

Personal Protective Equipment required:

• Masks are required in all indoor public spaces, including retail, as well as in outdoor public places when people cannot maintain 2 metres (6 feet) of distancing.

Employee screening:

• If an employee is experiencing COVID-19 type symptoms, they should call 811 for information on assessment and be assessed by a health professional before returning to work. A guide for employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms is available with guidance on when to stay home from work.

Customer screening:

• It is strongly recommended that Yukoners entering or returning to the territory limit contacts to their household only during the first three days upon return. It is recommended that during the first five days of entry or return, people should only go into their community for essential needs. 

Returns:

• Returns are currently allowed. No guidance has been indicated.

Fitting rooms:

• No guidance provided on fitting rooms.

Guidance documents:

• Guide for employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

Travel restrictions (regional):

• Travel is recommended to be avoided between communities, and between communities and Whitehorse, until further notice.
• Everyone entering Yukon must follow the acting Chief Medical Officer of Health’s recommendations for travel, self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 upon entering or returning to the Yukon and self-isolate when sick.

Operational Plan Required:

• Businesses must complete an operational plan and have a copy available if requested. View template.

Updated February 22, 2022

Retailers considered “essential”/
allowed to open:

• All retailers are permitted to open. Under the Northwest Territories COVID-19 Gatherings Order (effective January 30, 2022), non-essential businesses may have no more than 25 persons to be present at the indoor location. The number of staff is limited to the minimum number required to perform operations. Businesses must maintain at least 2 metres of physical separation between staff and members of the public and follow their exposure control plan. Essential businesses, including grocery and large retail stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, and liquor stores, do not need to limit those members of the public present but must limit the number of staff to the minimum required to perform operations and comply with any conditions imposed by the CPHO.

Maximum number of people in store/ physical distancing requirements:

• Businesses must maintain at least 2 metres of physical separation between staff and members of the public and follow their exposure control plan.

Employee screening:

• Send employees home immediately if they have a fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat.

Customer screening:

• Post signs on entrances that stop people from entering the business if they have symptoms of respiratory illness (cough, fever, runny nose).

Returns:

• Returns are currently allowed. No guidance has been indicated.

Fitting rooms:

• No guidance provided on fitting rooms.

Operational Plan Required:

• Business must complete a risk assessment plan, as well as an exposure control plan.  The completed plans should be readily available on request from a public health official. 

Updated February 22, 2022

Retailers considered “essential”/
allowed to open:

• Retail stores can be open with 2m distancing required. Masks are mandatory in some communities, more information.
• Restaurants and bars may operate with up to 25 people or 25% capacity, whichever is less (no singing, karaoke or dancing) in: Grise Fiord, Clyde River, Sanirajak, Qikiqtarjuak, Kimmirut, Kinngait, Arviat, Baker Lake, Whale Cove, Chesterfield Inlet, Naujaat, Gjoa Haven, Kugluktukandatory.
• Bars and theatres are closed and restaurants are open for take-out only (with 2 m of space between people in line) in: Arctic Bay, Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Coral Harbour, Sanikiluaq, Cambridge Bay, Kugaaruk, Resolute Bay, Taloyoak, Igloolik, Pond Inlet.

Personal Protective Equipment required:

• Masks are mandatory in some communities.

Returns:

• Returns are currently allowed. No guidance has been indicated.

Fitting rooms:

• No guidance provided on fitting rooms.

Operational Plan Required:

• No specific operational plan for COVID-19 has been required.