Each week, the health units will be reassessed and placed into a category -- a plan that Premier Doug Ford said will serve as an "early warning system," helping the province to "scale up and scale back public health restrictions on a regional or community basis in response to surges and waves of COVID-19."
Here is what to expect from the colour-coded levels:
Green (Prevent)
What it is: The "green" level, also known as the "prevent" level, will put a health unit into a state similar to the former Stage 3, with loosened restrictions and only certain high-risk locations remaining closed.
What it looks like: Some proposed restrictions for this level include a two-metre distance between tables at dining establishments; nightclubs operating as restaurants or bars; allowing a maximum of 50 people inside gyms or fitness centres; limiting fitting room capacity at retail stores; closing oxygen bars, steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools in personal-care facilities; and limiting capacity to 50 people at gaming establishments.
How to get there: Health units at this level will have a weekly rate of less than 10 cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate of less than one per cent.
Yellow (Protect)
What it is: The "yellow" or "protect" level means health units will see increased measures and guidelines for businesses or organizations that are open.
What it looks like: Some proposed restrictions for this level include liquor only being sold or served between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.; required face coverings at sports and recreation facilities, except when exercising; limited volume of music at retail locations; and required contact information from customers at some establishments.
How to get there: The health units at this level are required to have a weekly rate of 10 to 39.9 cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate of one to 2.5 per cent.
Orange (Restrict)
What it is: Health units at the "orange" or "restrict" level will see restrictions enhanced further from the "protect" level.
What it looks like: Some proposed restrictions for this level include limiting capacity at meeting and event spaces to 50 people per facility; limiting operating hours for businesses; enhancing screening measures at various businesses and establishments; prohibiting personal care services that require the removal of a face mask; and limiting capacity in retail locations.
How to get there: These health units will have a weekly incidence rate of 40 to 99.9 per 100,000 people and a positivity rate ranging from 2.5 to 9.9 per cent.
Red (Control)
What it is: The "red" or "control" level means a return to modified Stage 2, with further restrictions and the closure of some businesses or organizations.
What it looks like: Some proposed restrictions for this level include prohibiting indoor dining; closing gyms and indoor fitness centres; closing cinemas; closing casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and limiting capacity at indoor event spaces to 10 people per facility.
How to get there: The health units at this level will have a weekly incidence rate of more than 100 cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate of more than 10 per cent.
Gray (Lockdown)
At this level, health units would return to a modified Stage 1 and a declaration of emergency will be considered.
• Stage 1, which allowed for small gatherings and the reopening of certain workplaces;
• Stage 2, which allowed more workplaces and outdoors spaces to open, and permitted larger gatherings; and
• Stage 3, which allowed for restrictions to be loosened further and all workplaces to open.
For a full breakdown of the province's new plan, visit ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open.