Ontario raises capacity limits for theaters and professional sports venues, but not for gyms or restaurants

Just in time for the hockey and basketball seasons, Ontario is lifting the COVID-19 capacity limits in some places where proof of vaccination is required, such as movie theaters, concert halls and the Scotiabank Arena, but not in restaurants and gyms.

The changes that go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday will allow 100% capacity at designated locations, but will leave the restaurant and fitness industries disappointed and in limbo.

“This means that gyms and dance studios, yoga studios and bowling alleys will still be 50 percent. In the meantime, the Leafs will have full capacity for their home opener, ”said Ryan Mallough of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

In an announcement late Friday afternoon, the Health Ministry said full capacity will be allowed in theaters, horse and car racing tracks, film and television commercial productions with studio audiences and spectator areas of sports and recreational facilities.

“We are delighted to see this day come when we can welcome a full venue to cheer on the Maple Leafs and Raptors,” said Michael Friisdahl, CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

Meeting and event spaces are also included in the reduced restrictions, but interior capacity will be limited to the number of clients who can maintain physical distance.

Government officials said there have been “a limited number of outbreaks” in settings that are at their maximum capacity.

The policy change came amid continued pressure from the restaurant and fitness industries to ease the 50 percent capacity limits, with the fourth wave of the pandemic under control for now.

But medical director Dr. Kieran Moore said it is too early to do so, even though key indicators of the pandemic, such as the number of new cases and hospitalizations, are stable or improving.

“Now is not the time to lower our guard,” he added, pledging to continue reviewing the data for those sectors.

An organization representing thousands of restaurants said they would love to see that data.

“They refuse to show us any,” Restaurants Canada Vice President James Rilett told the Star, urging the province to increase financial support for struggling restaurant owners.

“We were the first to be hit. We are still the ones left with restrictions. It’s hard not to take it personally. Our industry seems to be continually standing out, ”he added.

“Since the vaccine passports were brought in, we have members reporting 15 to 25 percent less income. They just have fewer people hanging out. “

Ontario’s vaccine passport system for businesses and non-essential locations went into effect on September 22. Clients must show proof that at least two weeks have passed after their second COVID-19 vaccination.

For places with no more capacity limits, the government said public health and safety measures in the workplace, such as face masks, detection and information gathering for contact tracing, may continue, but the requirements are being removed. of physical distancing, with limited exceptions.

The vaccination trial will continue in outdoor settings, such as sports stadiums, where the maximum capacity is usually 20,000 or more.

Capacity limits were last relaxed on September 24.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

The conversations are the opinions of our readers and are subject to the Code of conduct. The Star does not endorse these views.



Reference-www.thestar.com

Leave a Comment