Ontario is closing down operations on most construction sites.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on April 3 as a further measure to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective 11:59 p.m. on April 4, work on most industrial, commercial and institutional construction sites must be stopped. Only critical projects—those supporting infrastructure projects such as in the healthcare, transit, transportation, energy and justice sectors, as well as those required for petrochemical plants and refineries, and those supporting the manufacturing of personal protective equipment—will be allowed to continue.

Construction in the residential sector is also being significantly slowed. New builds will be stopped. Those projects already underway—for single-family, semi-detached and townhomes as well as condominium projects for which above-grade structural permits have been issued—may continue.

The closures will be in effect for 14 days, with the possibility for an extension, should the situation warrant further action, the province has said.

Building maintenance work, meanwhile, has been strictly scaled down. Only those works needed to maintain "the safety, security, sanitation and essential operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties and buildings" will be allowed.

In his news conference, the Premier advised that the decision was taken with the health and safety of front-line workers in mind. He added that the province would “come down hard on inspections” on those sites that continue to operate.

The province has hired 60 new inspectors; hundreds more have deployed across the province to confirm proper site safety. Already, the province has conducted more than 580 inspections, and shut down five sites.

“We will not hesitate to shut down more,” said Ford.

The province is also doubling the number of phone agents at its Health and Safety Call Centre so that workers may report safety concerns.

"If you're a worker on the frontlines of this outbreak, you should know we're doing everything in our power to keep you safe at work," said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. "We're beefing up our inspectors and making it easier for you to report your concerns. We're working around the clock."

As the number of cases in Ontario exceeds 3,000 and the number of deaths approaches 500, the Premier announced predictions of as many as 15,000 deaths from the virus based on current intervention models. The province took the decision to cut down the list of essential services with the goal of further reducing the spread of COVID-19.

"We are facing a critical moment in the fight against COVID-19 and we must do everything in our power to keep everyone safe and healthy and prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed," said the Premier. "Everyone must do their part to stop the spread and flatten the curve. If you are not an essential business, you need to close your doors, work from home if possible and play a role to help contain this outbreak. This is a matter of life and death."

A complete list of essential construction services appears below. The province has advised business owners with questions concerning their essential business status can call the Stop the Spread hotline at 1-888-444-3659.

Maintenance

Maintenance, repair and property management services strictly necessary to manage and maintain the safety, security, sanitation and essential operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties and buildings.

Construction

Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space.

Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of, or to provide new capacity in, critical provincial infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance.

Critical industrial construction activities required for,

• the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries,
• significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work has already commenced,
• industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance, and/or enhancement of Personal Protective Equipment, medical devices (such as ventilators), and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residential construction projects where,

• a footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes
• an above grade structural permit has been granted for condominiums, mixed use and other buildings, or
• the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before April 4, 2020.

Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active and to ensure ongoing public safety.