Big-box stores required to block off sections selling non-essential goods

Ontario residents woke up to more COVID-19 restrictions Thursday, many of them pertaining to retail.

Among the most sweeping changes are a four-week stay-at-home order, similar to one implemented in January, that requires people to stay home except for essential trips like grocery shopping, accessing health-care services, work that cannot be done remotely and exercise.

Stores providing essential goods will remain open but will only be permitted to sell grocery and pharmacy items, while non-essential goods will be available for curbside pickup between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Delivery is permitted between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

In-person sales at discount and big-box stores are limited to necessary goods such as groceries, household cleaning supplies and pharmacy items.

Outdoor garden centres, plant nurseries and indoor greenhouses can open for retail sales with a capacity limit of 25%.

Access to shopping malls is limited to curbside pickup and only by appointment. Certain retail stores can open for in-person, appointment-only sales between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., up to 25% capacity.