News Article, Notice to the Consumer, Notice to the Profession
COVID-19: Ready…together
BAO COVID-19 Info Index
- FAQ – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID-19 Updates: Directives, Notices, Guidance…
- BAO Safety Posters – now out of date
- All Registrar’s Directives – including COVID-19
- All Notices to the Profession – including COVID-19
- Government links
- Webcasts to licensees
- BAO Media Contact: MediaInquiries@thebao.ca
- Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces
Updates
2022
March 17 – Registrar’s Directive: Mask mandate ends Monday
Feb. 28 – Registrar’s Directive: Restrictions on capacity limits are lifted, plus other changes
Feb. 15 – Registrar’s Directive: COVID-19 changes go into place Feb. 17
Jan. 28 – Registrar’s Directive: Updated COVID-19 measures
Jan. 20 – Notice to the Profession: Current Registrar’s Directives remain in place
Jan. 17 – News: BAO adapts its proactive response to ensure sector keeps serving families during Omicron
Jan. 7 – Registrar’s Directive: Crematoriums must prevent backlogs
Jan. 6 – Notice to the Profession: Registrar authorizes colleges to make students available to work
Jan. 4 – Registrar’s Directive: New temporary rules for funeral services
2021
Oct. 26 – Registrar’s Directive: Option for BAO licensees – COVID-19 distancing and capacity limits are not required if all patrons provide proof of vaccination
Sept. 16 – Notice to the Profession: Proof of Vaccination Requirement for Funerals
July 9 – Registrar’s Directive: Capacity limits removed; Physical distancing, mask-wearing requirements remain
June 29 – Reminder: New COVID-19 indoor and outdoor funeral restrictions
June 24 – Registrar’s Directive: New COVID-19 indoor and outdoor funeral restrictions
June 8 – Registrar’s Directive: Funeral services attendance
May 17 – Notice reminder: Cemetery attendance is restricted to 10-max for funeral services only
May 13 – Notice to the Profession: Registrar’s Max-10 Directive still in effect
May 3 – Notice to the Profession & Public:
Cemetery restrictions now and on Mother’s Day
April 16 – Registrar’s Directive: 10 max at funerals in total – indoors or outdoors
April 1 – Registrar’s Directive: Funeral attendance restricted to
15% indoors to a max of 50 people indoors or outdoors
Mar. 16 – Registrar’s Directive: BAO chart revised – some limits adjusted
Mar. 14 – Registrar’s Directive: BAO Grey-Lockdown restrictions revised
Mar. 1 – Government of Ontario Vaccine Rollout letter to the BAO – PDF
Feb. 26 – Notice to the Profession: Reminder of BAO chart;
Thunder Bay & Simcoe-Muskoka moved into Grey-Lockdown
Feb. 9 – Registrar’s Directive: COVID chart returns; adjustments to MEDR
Jan. 19 – BAO supports hospitals in transfer of deceased patients
Jan. 12 – Registrar’s Directive: Modified Expedited Death Response Plan
Jan. 6 – Notice/News Release – Bereavement sector well within capacity in caring for those who have died during pandemic
2020
Archive of Updates 2020
Links
BAO links
- Routine Practices in the Bereavement Care Setting PDF
- Additional Precautions in the Bereavement Care Setting PDF
Government links
- Public Health Ontario
- Government of Ontario Self-Assessment
- Ontario Palliative Care Network:
Expected Death in the Home – COVID-19 – April 24, 2020 – PDF - Toronto Public Health: COVID-19 Guidance for Funeral Homes
- City of Toronto – Burial Permit Issuance – Online Portal
- Public Health Agency of Canada
