City of Toronto updating COVID-19 enforcement direction to allow some pet grooming services

The Province of Ontario today announced that pet groomers are now permitted to operate in some limited circumstances and under strict conditions. The City of Toronto has informed COVID-19 enforcement officers of the amended direction and conditions for groomers to operate in compliance with provincial regulations.

Under provincial regulations, pet grooming businesses are only permitted to open to provide grooming services that are strictly necessary to prevent an animal from requiring foreseeable and reasonably imminent veterinary care or that the pet owner has been ordered to obtain for their pet under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act. When these limited services are provided, grooming appointments must be scheduled in advance and businesses must use curbside pick-up and drop-off. Only one appointment for one animal at a time is permitted. Guidance for pet groomers and other businesses offering curbside services can be found on the City’s COVID-19 Guidance: Employers, Workplaces & Businesses webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-reopening-recovery-rebuild/covid-19-reopening-guidelines-for-businesses-organizations/covid-19-guidance-employers-workplaces-businesses/.

Last week, the City paused enforcement of curbside pick-up and drop-off pet walking services following public comments from the Province permitting such services. As with all activities, please consider whether employing a pet walker is essential to the health of your pet. When dropping off or picking up a pet following a service, practise physical distancing as much as possible, always wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible and wash hands often.

Businesses with questions about what is permitted under the Reopening Ontario Act should contact the Province’s Stop the Spread Business Information line at 1-888-444-3659. The updated Reopening Ontario Act is available online: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r21050.

It remains imperative that all people in the city respect COVID-19 orders and stay home as much as possible to save lives by reducing opportunities for COVID-19 to spread. Please review the City’s simple “Dos” and “Don’ts” guide for recommended and mandatory public health measures. The guide communicates some of what is and what is not, permitted under the provincial Lockdown Regulation that remains in effect and the new stay-at-home order to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The guide can be found at www.toronto.ca/lockdownguide.

 

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