DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard
NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA: The Ontario government has announced a new phased approach to ease health restrictions, in the province, in the coming months.
On January 31st, gathering limits will be increased to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Restaurants, bars, grocery stores, shopping malls, gyms, cinemas, galleries, and casinos will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity. Attendance at sporting events will be capped at 500 people. But in all indoor environments proof of vaccination will still be required to stay in.
On February 21st, gathering limits will increase to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors again. At that time, capacity limits will be removed for restaurants, indoor sports and recreation facilities, and cinemas. But, nightclubs and wedding receptions in meeting or event spaces, where there is dancing, will have to operate at 25 percent capacity. But in all indoor environments proof of vaccination will still be required to stay in.
On March 14th, the government will lift capacity limits for all “indoor public settings,” but proof of vaccination will still be required to stay in. Gathering limits will also be set at 50 people indoors, but there will be no limits for outdoor gatherings.
“The additional [health] measures were always intended to be time-limited. They were one more tool to blunt the spread of Omicron and protect our hospitals. The evidence tells us these measures are working,” Premier Doug Ford said, during a press conference, on Thursday, January 20th.
Premier Ford cited lower percent positivity rates, slowing hospital admission rates, and a lower amount of time patients spend in hospitals as reasons for optimism. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]