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Ontario introduces Lockdown measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. As of 12:01am on Saturday, December 26th, Ontario will enter a province wide shutdown. Northern Ontario will be under a 14 day shutdown while Southern Ontario will remain under an initial 28 day shutdown. 

The existing COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe & Open will be put on hold while the new Provincewide Shutdown Measures will take affect. The new framework can be viewed here. 

The new lockdown measures impact music in the following ways

Concert venues, theatres and cinemas

• May open for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with conditions, including:

• No spectators may be permitted in the concert venue, theatre or cinema
• No more than 10 performers may be permitted on stage
• Every performer and other person who performs work for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person, except:

▪ if it is necessary for the performers or other persons to be closer to each other for purposes of the performance or rehearsal, or

▪ where necessary for the purposes of health and safety

• Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
• Contact information recording required

• No drive-in or drive-through events

Sound recording, production, publishing and distribution businesses

• No studio audiences permitted to be on the film, television or broadcast sets

• No more than 10 performers may be permitted to be on the film, television or broadcast sets

• Set must be configured and operated in such a way as to enable persons on the set to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other person

• Persons who provide hair or makeup services must wear appropriate personal protective equipment

• Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier

The Provincial Shutdown documents can be found here.

The Ontario Government has announced the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, a one time fund of $10k to $20k to spend as they require. Eligible small businesses include those that:

• Are required to close or significantly restrict services due to the Provincewide Shutdown being imposed across the province effective 12:01 a.m. on December 26
• Have fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level
• Have experienced a minimum of 20 per cent revenue decline in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Learn more about the new Ontario Small Business Grant here.

In early January, the Re-Opening Every Venue Safely program will begin with two educational sessions on January 12 & January 13^th. Learn more about program here. This program will help businesses re-open by understanding the guidelines and procedures in place and working towards re-building consumer trust.

More info will be shared as it becomes available. For a list of ongoing supports, visit the London Music Office COVID-19 Information & Resources Page.