Ontario COVID-19 Response Framework/Government of Ontario
Ontario is adjusting in person dining capacity limits and public health measures at restaurants and other establishments to support economic recovery.
New limits and measures will apply to regions in the Orange-Restrict, Red-Control and Grey-Lockdown levels of the Province’s COVID-19 Response Framework.
As of Saturday March 20 at 12:01 a.m. for regions in the Red-Control level, like the Northwestern Health Unit, can not exceed 50 percent capacity subject to physical distancing rules. The total occupancy can not exceed 50 customers, while regions in the Orange-Restrict will be allowed up to 100.
Outdoor dining will now be permitted for regions in Grey-Lockdown, subject to physical distancing rules and a number of other public health and workplace safety measures.
To ensure the continued safety of patrons and workers, public health and safety measures in both indoor and outdoor dining settings are being strengthened as follows:
- Limiting tables for indoor dining to members of the same household, with exemptions for patrons who live alone and caregivers
- A sign posted by the establishment in a location visible to the public that states the maximum capacity (number of patrons) they are permitted to operate under
- Limiting tables for outdoor dining in Grey-Lockdown to members of the same household with exemptions for patrons who live alone and caregivers
“While some regions are proceeding to levels with less restrictive measures and adjustments are being made to dining capacity, everyone must continue to adhere to all public health and workplace safety measures,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “We have entered the third wave of the pandemic and the rates of variants of concern continue to rise so it is important that people remain cautious and vigilant in order to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 and protect themselves and their communities.”
