The province of Ontario is moving to ease current public health restrictions, including reopening concert venues and theatres. The first of the new set of measures take effect on January 31, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. Two more steps are outlined to take effect in February and March.
The numbers are slowing…
According to today’s announcement, indications related to the pandemic are starting to improve.
“Thanks to the sacrifices of Ontarians we are starting to see glimmers of hope. However we know the coming weeks will continue to pose challenges, especially for our hospital partners,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health in a media release. “As we continue to chart our path forward, we will continue to take a gradual and cautious approach to lifting public health measures to protect our hospital capacity and ensure patients can continue to access the care they need.”
Step 1: January 31, 12:01 a.m.
The following measures will take effect, beginning a process of easing restrictions.
- Concert venues and theatres, and sports facilities, to operate at 50 percent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less (proof of vaccination applies).
- Social gathering limits at 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
50 percent capacity in indoor public settings where enhanced proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
- Restaurants, bars and other establishments that offer food and drink (with dancing still prohibited);
- Retailers and shopping malls;
- Gyms and non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities;
- Movie theatres, meeting and event spaces;
- Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions;
- Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments.
February 21, 2022, 12:01 a.m.
The following measures will take effect to lift public health restrictions:
- 50 percent capacity at concert venues, theatres, and sports events, with no upper limit (proof of vaccination applies);
- Social gatherings limited to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors;
- Capacity limits removed for indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, such as restaurants, indoor sports and recreational facilities, and movie theatres;
- Other settings can also choose to opt-in to the above mentioned class if they require proof of vaccination;
- If there’s dancing, capacity limits are 25 percent;
- Where proof of vaccination is not required in an indoor setting, capacity limited to those who can maintain two metres distance, with no specific upper limit.
March 14, 2022, 12:01 a.m.
The third step is set to remove virtually all restrictions, provided proof of vaccination is required. That includes:
- No capacity limits on indoor public settings;
- No capacity limits on religious services;
- Social gathering limits of 50 people indoors, with no limits for outdoor events.
Note that the enhanced version of vaccination proof is required. Full details of the province’s response can be found here.
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