COVID-19: KFL & A Public Health Announces New Restrictions to Fight the Spread of Omicron – Kingston | The Canadian News

The Kingston area is going back in time as COVID-19 and the new Omicron variant continue to spread rapidly.

KFL and a medical health officer, Dr. Piotr Oglaza, say that starting Sunday, December 19, the city will return to Step 3.

“We are seeing a significant increase in cases across multiple settings and sectors due to the new variant of concern, Omicron,” says Dr. Oglaza.

“Omicron is highly communicable and has made the KFL & A region one of the highest COVID-19 case rates in the province. Improved safeguards are required to reduce the number of contacts people have with each other to slow the transmission of disease within the community and to protect our businesses, schools, organizations, healthcare resources, workers and residents. “

The region will return to capacity limits that were removed last summer.

Places like arenas, theaters, casinos and cinemas will see their indoor seating capacity reduced by 50 percent, while bars and restaurants will have to place their tables at least two meters apart.

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Retailers will be exempt from capacity limits.

Along with the reinstatement of capacity limits and the implementation of stricter social distancing measures, masking requirements will be back in effect at facilities used for recreation and sports.

Sports activities will also need to be modified to maintain physical distancing.

Dr. Oglaza says that with the virus in widespread circulation, the response now must reduce mobility and face-to-face interactions.

The health unit’s advice to guard against the new Omicron variant includes avoiding social gatherings, staying six feet from people outside your home, and considering curbside pickup or drop-off when shopping.

The news that the region will return to Step 3 comes at the same time that the province has announced new capacity limits in all of Ontario’s large enclosed spaces.

The 50 percent capacity limits will go into effect Saturday in indoor venues with capacity for 1,000 people or more.

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