Ontario will ease the capacity restrictions in restaurants, gyms and casinos.
Premier Doug Ford, in the release of the province’s COVID-19 reopening strategy Friday, said it will take effect on Monday, October 25 at 12:01 a.m.
“Thanks to our cautious and careful approach to re-opening, we are now in position to gradually lift all remaining public health measures over the coming months,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This plan is built for the long term. It will guide us safely through the winter and out of this pandemic, while avoiding lockdowns and ensuring we don’t lose the hard-fought gains we have made.”
The plan includes gradually lifting all remaining public health and workplace safety measures, including the provincial requirement for proof of vaccination and wearing of face coverings in indoor public settings.
Also on Monday, the government will also allow other settings to lift capacity limits and physical distancing requirements if they choose to require proof of vaccination, including:
- Personal care services (example barber shops, salons, body art)
- Indoor areas of museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions
- Indoor areas of amusement parks
- Indoor areas of fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals
- Indoor tour and guide services
- Boat tours
- Indoor areas of marinas and boating clubs
- Indoor clubhouses at outdoor recreational amenities
- Open house events provided by real estate agencies
- Indoor areas of photography studios and services
- Locations where a wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony takes place may also implement proof of vaccination requirements for services, rites, or ceremonies at the location.
The rule won’t apply to settings where people receive medical care, food from grocery stores and medical supplies.
The province will also allow for greater capacity at organized public events such as Remembrance Day ceremonies and Santa Claus parades
TIMELINE
November 15, 2021
- Lifting capacity limits in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including food or drink establishments with dance facilities (night clubs, wedding receptions in meeting/event spaces where there is dancing), strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs
January 17, 2022
- Lifting capacity limits in settings where proof of vaccination is not required
- Proof of vaccination requirements may also begin to be gradually lifted, including for restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments, facilities used for sports and recreational facilities and casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
February 7, 2022
- Lifting proof of vaccination requirements in high-risk settings, including night clubs, strip clubs, and bathhouses and sex clubs
March 28, 2022
- Remaining public health and workplace safety measures will be lifted, including wearing face coverings in indoor public settings
- In addition, the provincial requirement for proof of vaccination will be lifted for all remaining settings, including meeting and event spaces, sporting events, concerts, theatres and cinemas, racing venues and commercial and film productions with studio audiences
Ontario has been in Step 3 of the Roadmap To Reopen for more than three months.
