As you know, the provincial government has recently taken several steps to ease public health measures in response to positive health indicators. Step three of Ontario’s reopening plan will occur on March 1, 2022.

In response to these easing measures, the LCBO will be making some important changes to adjust our health and safety protocols over the coming weeks. These changes will take place in two phases and balance the need to take cautious steps towards returning to normal, while continuing to make the safety and well-being of our people, partners and customers our top priority.

Phase 1: March 1 - Lifting capacity limits and winding down testing

  1. Mandatory vaccination & testing policy: Our current policy remains in place until March 14. Until then, employees and trade members who are considered unvaccinated are still required to produce a negative rapid antigen test 48 hours prior to coming into the workplace. After March 14, all employees and trade members who experience any COVID-19 symptoms should follow public health guidance and use publicly-available tests as required.   
  2. Our head office/regional/district offices: Trade members are welcome to schedule in-office meetings with their LCBO representatives from March 28, 2022. Trade members must complete screening prior to entry on each occasion. 
  3. Our stores: Store capacities will increase to 100%. Screening remains in place. Product Consultant tastings will resume on March 1-2 in select locations with the intention of expanding to all locations over the coming months. Trade visits will resume without capacity limits. In-store tastings (including trade tastings) remain prohibited until phase two.  
  4. LCBO Vintages/Promotional events: Seated events in restaurants and other venues may proceed following all protocols in place. Store opening events may return with no capacity limits. Walk around tasting events remain prohibited until phase two.  
  5. Masking: Masking remains mandatory in all workplaces until phase two. 
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Phase 2: TBD - Recommended mask use

  1. Masking: While mask use is no longer a mandatory requirement, it remains a recommended form of protection 
  2. Our stores: In-store consumer tastings, Trade tastings with employees, and other tastings such as Staff Picks will resume under a phased approach. 
  3. Vintages/Promotional events: Walk around tastings to return. 
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As we’ve committed to do throughout the pandemic, we’ll remain agile and evolve our plan as needed in response to the changing environment, and we will communicate any changes and dates as they are determined. 

If you have questions about the outlined details, please contact your LCBO representative.