THUNDER BAY - More public health restrictions will be lifted across Ontario earlier than expected as the province prepares to enter stage three in its roadmap to reopening.
The provincial government announced on Friday that Ontario will enter stage three of reopening on Friday, July 16. The initial timeline for entering stage three was three weeks after entering stage two, which would have taken place on July 21.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our frontline heroes, and the ongoing commitment of Ontarians to get vaccinated, we have surpassed the targets we set in order to enter Step Three of our Roadmap,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement issued on Friday.
“While this is welcome news for everyone who wants a return to normal, we will not slow down our efforts to fully vaccinate everyone who wants to be and put this pandemic behind us once and for all.”
The roadmap to reopening required a vaccination rate of between 70 and 80 per cent of adults with one dose and 25 per cent of Ontarians full vaccinated.
As of July 8, 77 per cent of people in Ontario over the age of 12 have received at least one dose and 50 per cent of adults have been fully vaccinated.
The number of daily COVID-19 cases across the province has also been declining and as of July 8, there are 202 patients in intensive care units in Ontario with COVID-19, down from 286 two weeks ago.
“Ontario has continued to see improvements in key health indicators, allowing the province to move to Step Three of the Roadmap and safely resume more of the activities we’ve missed,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and minister of health.
“While this is exciting news, we must still remain vigilant and continue to follow the public health measure we know work and keep us safe. Vaccines remain our ticket out of the pandemic so if you haven’t booked your appointment yet, please do so today.”
Stage three will see some restrictions on indoor gatherings lifted, allowing for up to 100 people for outdoor social gatherings and 25 for indoor gatherings.
There will no longer be limits on the number of patrons at a table for indoor dining, though physical distancing and other restrictions remain in effect.
Indoor sports and recreational facilities can allow a maximum of 50 per cent capacity. Capacity for indoor spectators is 50 per cent seating capacity or 1,000 people, while outdoor capacity is 75 per cent or 15,000 people.
Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing.
Retail spaces will be limited in capacity to the number of people inside while still being able to maintain two metre physical distancing.
Museums, galleries, zoos, fairs, and rural exhibitions will have a capacity limit of 50 per cent indoors and 75 per cent outdoors.
Cinemas, concert venues, and theatres are permitted to operate with 50 per cent capacity indoors and 75 per cent capacity outdoors.
Personal care services are permitted, including services requiring the removal of a face covering, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres.
Indoor food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs and restobars, permitted up to 25 per cent capacity or up to a maximum limit of 250 people.
Face coverings in indoor public settings and physical distancing requirements remain in place throughout step three in accordance with public health guidelines.
The province will remain under stage three restrictions for 21 days until 80 per cent of the eligible population aged 12 and over has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 75 per cent have received their second, with no public health unit having less than 70 per cent of their population fully vaccinated.
According to Dr. Kieran Moore, the chief medical officer of health for Ontario, if key public health indicators remain stable, the majority of public health guidelines and limits on gatherings will be lifted.
“Thanks to the continued efforts of Ontarians adhering to public health measures and advice, as well as going out to get vaccinated, we have seen most key health indicators continue to improve,” Moore said. “However, the pandemic is not over and we must all remain vigilant and continue following the measures and advice in place, as the Delta variant continues to pose a threat to public health.”
