Residential construction activity will continue to remain largely unaffected by COVID-19 restrictions as the Ontario government moved today to extend ongoing third-wave lockdown rules by another three weeks.
In a televised press conference held this afternoon, the provincial government announced that it would be extending the current declaration of emergency and stay-at-home order until Wednesday, June 2nd. Although COVID-19 positivity rates have dropped steadily in these past few weeks, hospital ICU capacity remains under pressure as virus variants of concern continue to spread.
“We need to do everything in our power to protect this summer for all Ontarians. My goal is to have the most normal July and August possible,” said Premier Doug Ford during the press conference.
“Obviously, that won’t mean large sporting events or concerts, but if we manage the next few weeks properly, I believe that we can have things in a very good place this summer,” he added.
Under current provincial lockdown restrictions, which came into effect on April 17th, non-essential construction activities have been halted, including work on shopping malls, hotels and office towers. However, residential and critical infrastructure construction has been able to proceed.
According to information on the province’s website, essential construction activities include “residential construction activities or projects and related services,” along with site preparation, shelter for vulnerable people and work on healthcare facilities.
In April, the provincial government also rolled out a series of “targeted provincewide inspections” of construction sites, which entails visits to 1,300 construction sites by 200 workplace inspectors to ensure safety requirements are being met.
Restrictions were implemented on below-grade and multi-unit residential construction during Ontario’s first wave of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020. By May 19th last year, all construction activities were able to continue. Ontario declared its second state-of-emergency of the pandemic in January 2021, this time allowing residential construction to continue as an essential service, along with critical infrastructure projects, like the construction of hospitals and roads.
Closer to June 2nd, more updates will be available from the province on reopening plans, including any restrictions that will be lifted on outdoor activities.
