COVID-19 Provincial and Territorial Restrictions and Closures
Updated: January 12, 2021
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Reopening Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan
BC's reopening plan is on hold due to a surge in coronavirus cases this fall/winter. Please seethe Province-wide Restrictions page for details.
Park closures: The majority of provincial parks and protected areas and marine parks have been open for day use only. Most provincial campgrounds and recreational sites have been open since June 1st, along with more parks for day-use activities. Please consult the BC Parks website for the latest.
Public gatherings: No social gatherings permitted.
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
Guidance to B.C. manufacturers during COVID-19 (BC Information Bulletin)
Manufacturing (WorkSafeBC)
Retail (WorkSafeBC)
Small business (WorkSafeBC)
ALBERTA
Reopening Plan: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-relaunch-strategy.aspx
Alberta has brought in new restrictions this fall/winter to curb the second wave of COVID-19, including a ban on indoor social gatherings in certain major cities. Please see the list of 'Targeted public health measures' for the latest.
Park closures: Alberta will be restoring access to provincial parks and public lands in phases:
- Since June 12th, provincial campgrounds are open at full capacity.
- A number of boat launches in provincial parks are also open effective May 1st, with a goal of having all boat launches open by May 14th. For the latest list of open amenities, please check albertaparks.ca.
Public gatherings: Not permitted.
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
COVID-19 General Relaunch Guidance (Alberta Government)
Retail (Alberta Government)
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan has brought in new restrictions this fall/winter to deal with the rising COVID-19 case count. This includes a province-wide mandatory indoor masking order and a maximum of 5 people for indoor private gatherings. Please see the Re-Open Saskatchewan page for the latest.
Park closures: Saskatchewan provincial parks opened to vehicle traffic on May 4, 2020, to allow access to boat launches and shorelines. Effective June 1st, provincial park campgrounds are also open. Please note the following restrictions:
- Passengers in boats do not have to be from the same household, but must maintain as much separation as possible.
- Shoreline anglers must adhere to a strict two-metre distance between individuals.
- Fishing off public docks, dams, jetties or marinas is prohibited.
Public gatherings: Indoor restricted to household only; outdoor capped at 10 people with physical distancing
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
COVID-19 General Workplace Information (Saskatchewan Government)
Retail Guidelines (Saskatchewan Government)
Outdoor Recreation Guidelines (Saskatchewan Government)
MANITOBA
Reopening Plan: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/approach.html
Manitoba has imposed a province-wide lockdown to tackle the critical rise of coronavirus cases this fall/winter. For example, residents are not allowed to have guests from outside their household and retail businesses are confined to selling only essential supplies. Please see the RestartMB page for details.
Park closures: Provincial parks remain open in Manitoba, but people must practice social distancing at all times. Manitoba camping season kicks-off on the May long weekend, with changes such as social distancing and online purchases of park passes.
Public gatherings: Not permitted.
Other measures: Fishing season officially opened Saturday, May 9th in the Southern Division and Saturday, May 16th in the rest of the province. Full full details, please read the government news release.
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
Workplace Guidance for Business Owners (Manitoba Government)
ONTARIO
Reopening Plan: https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario.
As of January 14, Ontario has re-entered a State of Emergency with a mandatory stay-at-home order. People can only go out to get food/medicine, exercise, and go to work. All employees who can work from home are expected to do so. Non-essential retail stores must operate on reduced hours, between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Southern Ontario has also been in a province-wide shutdown since the end of December 2020. Under this order, non-essential retail stores (including marine retailers) are limited to delivery and curbside pick-up. To read the details of the shutdown and verify how it affects your business, please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open.
Any businesses reopening must follow the ministry of health's Guidance Document for Essential Workplaces and occupational health and safety requirements. Ontario has also published workplace safety guidelines for marinas, which can be found here.
Park closures: Provincial parks and conservation reserves have been open since May 11th with limited access. Permitted activities include walking, hiking, biking and birdwatching. Ontario Parks campgrounds and private campgrounds can also open for recreational vehicle, car camping and all other types of camping.
As of June 1st, back country camping is allowed in provincial parks and on Crown lands, although public amenities such as visitor centres and park stores will stay closed.
Parks Canada has announced that, effective June 1st, the Trent Severn Waterway will "begin offering limited visitor access and basic services." Please visit the official Trent Severn Waterway website for full details.
Public gatherings: Restrictions vary according to region - see the regional breakdown for the latest.
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace (Ontario Government)
Manufacturing Guidance Note and Tip Sheet (Ontario Government)
Retail Tip Sheet (Ontario Government)
Workplace PPE Supplier Directory
QUEBEC
Reopening Plan: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/gradual-resumption-activities-covid19-related-pause/
Quebec has introduced major restrictions this winter, including a province-wide lockdown with curfews (8 p.m. to 5 a.m.) presently in effect. Please see the province's alert-status map for details.
Park closures: Some municipal parks remain open depending on the city. For example, Montreal nature parks are open to the public.
The provincial park agency (Sépaq) has indicated it will gradually reopen public access to its territories starting in June. This includes "nautical activities with a personal watercraft, as well as some lakes for day fishing".
Public gatherings: Restrictions vary according to region.
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
Reopening and maintaining economic activities (Quebec Government)
COVID-19 Resources for All Sectors (CNESST)
Manufacturing Sector Toolkit (CNESST)
Retail and Shopping Sector Toolkit (CNESST)
NEW BRUNSWICK
Reopening Plan: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/recovery.html
In New Brunswick, all zones are currently in 'Orange'. businesses that can reopen include:
- Retail businesses, including boat dealers.
- Marinas.
- Restaurants.
- Campgrounds and outdoor recreational businesses or operations.
The delay on recreational fishing and hunting season has been lifted and people can now enjoy outdoor spaces such as parks and beaches (with physical distancing).
Park closures: Some public areas in provincial parks are now accessible. Please visit the Tourism New Brunswick website for the latest news.
Public gatherings: Check the current alert level for details.
Other restrictions:
Under the 'Atlantic Bubble' policy, people travelling between Atlantic provinces will not be required to self-isolate upon arrival; all others will need to quarantine for 14 days.
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
All businesses must follow the general guidelines from Public Health and Worksafe NB's Guidelines for New Brunswick Workplaces.
NOVA SCOTIA
Reopening Plan: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/county-restrictions/
Park closures: Provincial and municipal parks and trails have been allowed to reopen.
Public gatherings: For gatherings run by a business or organization, the limits are 200 indoors (up to 50% of venue capacity) and 250 outdoors.
Other measures:
- Sportfishing is allowed from boat or shore (including provincial and municipal beaches), but fishing derbies are banned.
- People can use their cottages with their family or household unit.
Under the 'Atlantic Bubble' policy, people travelling between Atlantic provinces will not be required to self-isolate upon arrival; all others will need to quarantine for 14 days.
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
Working During Covid-19 (Nova Scotia Government)
Manufacturing Guidelines (WCB Nova Scotia)
Retail Guidelines (WCB Nova Scotia)
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Reopening Plan: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/renew-pei-together
PEI has loosened restrictions after a temporary 'circuit-breaker' shutdown over the holidays. The following rules are in effect until January 25th: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/updated-covid-19-post-circuit-breaker-holiday-measures-jan-6-2021
Park closures: Starting June 5th, the province will be re-opening several provincial parks for day use. Please see the full list here.
Public gatherings: Organized public gatherings are capped at 50 people indoor/outdoor with physical distancing.
Other measures:
- Recreational angling season opened on May 1st.
- Under the 'Atlantic Bubble' policy, people travelling between Atlantic provinces will not be required to self-isolate upon arrival; all others will need to quarantine for 14 days.
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
Employers: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (PEI Government)
COVID-19 Toolkit (WCB of PEI)
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Reopening Plan: https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/information-sheets-for-businesses-and-workplaces/
- "Outdoor activities are encouraged" as long as people can physically distance. Hunting and angling are permitted.
- Provincial, municipal and private campgrounds are permitted to open for limited overnight camping with restrictions. Retail stores including malls are also allowed to open, along with restaurants at reduced capacity.
Park closures: On March 30th, it was announced that Newfoundland and Labrador provincial parks would not open due to COVID-19.
Public gatherings: Restricted to 100 people indoor.
Manufacturing / retail guidelines:
Guidance for Workplaces (Newfoundland Government)
Physical Distancing Guidance for Businesses (Newfoundland Government)
Retail Guidance (Newfoundland Government)
Car Dealership Guidelines (Newfoundland Government)
TERRITORIES
YUKON
Yukon has begun lifting restrictions for several sectors. For example, restaurants can provide dine-in services at 50% capacity. You can read the latest on Yukon's plan here.
Public gatherings: Limited to 10 people or fewer (50 for outdoors)
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
NWT is currently in phase 2 of their Emerging Wisely reopening plan, which includes allowing outdoor tourism operators and dine-in restaurants to resume service within limits.
Park closures: Territorial Park campgrounds are open June 12th. Please check the NWT Parks website for the latest.
Public gatherings: Indoor gatherings limited to 25 people; outdoor gatherings capped at 50 people.
NUNAVUT
Nunavut is slowly reopening under its Nunavut's Path plan. Some regions have been moved to lockdown due to recent localized outbreaks of coronavirus.
Public gatherings: Limited to five people.