Looser COVID-19 restrictions go into effect across the province today.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore stated that the venues will still screen patrons before entry. However, most businesses will no longer need to collect information for contact tracing.
Anyone attending indoor events like a concert or sporting game will be allowed to consume drinks or food while seated.
However, Moore is still encouraging anyone that can work from home to continue to do so, but it will no longer be a legal requirement except where necessary.
When it comes to the 50 per cent capacity rule, it applies to rooms within a facility and not the number of people you can fit in the whole building.
In hospitals, Ontario will be taking a phased approach to resume non-urgent surgeries and procedures in pediatrics, diagnostic services, cancer screenings, some ambulatory clinics, private hospitals, and independent health facilities.
On Monday, January 31st social gatherings will be limited to ten people indoors and twenty people outdoors, and the following settings will be capped at 50 per cent capacity:
- Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
- Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)
- Shopping malls
- Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
- Cinemas
- Meeting and event spaces
- Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks
- Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions
- Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
- Religious services, rites, or ceremonies
The province will enact more re-opening measures on February 21 and March 14.
(With files from Sarah McCarthy/CKDR Dryden and Kevin Jeffrey/99.9 The Bay)
