Here’s what’s open as Ontario eases COVID-19 restrictions

As promised by the province, a number of COVID-19 restrictions in Ontario were lifted on Monday.

As of 12:01 am, several limits on social gatherings, and indoor and outdoor capacities were eased, as part of a “cautious” three-stage reopening plan released earlier this month. The plan consists of three consecutive phases of public health measures being eased, with 21 days between each phase.

This comes just after Premier Doug Ford said Ontarians need to learn to live with COVID-19 in an interview Friday.

A change in social gathering limits, a return to indoor dining and gyms reopening are all part of the loosened restrictions that are now in place.

Masking and proof of vaccination requirements will continue to apply in existing settings.

“We can be confident that the worst is behind us as we look to cautiously ease public health measures,” the premier told reporters at Queen’s Park on Jan. 20.

Here’s a breakdown of which rules were relaxed on Monday, as part of step one of the public health strategy:

Social gathering limits increase

A maximum of 10 people can congregate indoors, and 25 outdoors, according to the latest rules.

Additionally, organized indoor public events will have a limit of 25 individuals.

Stadiums like the Scotiabank Arena for Leafs and Raptors games, concert venues and theaters will be limited to 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.

This 50 per cent limit will also include religious services, rites or ceremonies.

Indoor dining reopens, subject to rules and proof of vaccination requirements

Restaurants, bars and other food and beverage establishments without dance facilities will be allowed to function at 50 per cent indoor capacity.

Also, a maximum of 10 people will be allowed at a single table in these businesses, and at other indoor settings like meetings or events where food and drinks are being served.

Karaoke or other singing and dancing in restaurants will not be allowed, except for workers or performers.

Most indoor businesses reopen with limits

Gyms and other non-spectator areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity.

Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, amusement and water parks, science centers, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens, and similar attractions will also be permitted to operate at 50 percent occupancy. The list also includes entertainment venues like movie theaters, casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments.

Indoor retail shops, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and shopping malls, can continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity.

Same limits go for personal care services like salons.

Some nonemergent surgeries resume in Ontario

Some surgeries that had been put on hold due to a surge in Omicron cases pressuring an already bogged-down health care system are resuming Monday.

Hospitals all over the province reported having to pause surgeries while battling a flood of COVID patients in January after the holidays. Some were forced to declare “code orange,” a classification usually reserved for large-scale catastrophes, as staffing shortages led to staff to patient ratios falling well-below ideal levels.

These so-often called “non-urgent” procedures will resume in stages, the first wave will include pediatrics, diagnostic services and screenings for cancer.

What’s next in this plan to safely ease restrictions

On Feb. 21, gathering limits will increase to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Capacity limits in venues that require proof of vaccination – such as restaurants and bars – will be removed.

Capacity limits will also be lifted at other remaining indoor public spaces like malls and retail shops where proof of vaccination is not required and will be limited to the number of people that can maintain two meters of physical distance.

Sporting and concert venues will increase to 50 per cent capacity and indoor capacity limits will increase to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, wedding receptions in spaces where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs.

Three weeks after that – on March 14 – the plan is to remove all remaining capacity limits in indoor settings, though proof-of-vaccination rules through the Verify Ontario QR code system will continue.

At that time, there will be an increase in social gathering limits to 50 people indoors with no limits for those outdoors.