On Monday, the Government of Ontario announced that it is moving forward with a regional approach to the Stage 2 reopening of the province beginning this Friday at 12:01 a.m. Most regions will see changes and easing of restrictions, with the exception of the following health units, which will remain in Stage 1:
- Durham Region Health Department
- Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
- Halton Region Public Health
- Hamilton Public Health Services
- Lambton Public Health
- Niagara Region Public Health
- Peel Public Health
- Toronto Public Health
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
- York Region Public Health
The government says that at the beginning of each week, they will provide an update on the assessment of the regions staying in Stage 1 and whether they are ready to move into Stage 2 at the end of the week.
Businesses and services permitted to reopen – with proper health and safety measures in place – in regions entering Stage 2 include:
- Outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties;
- Select personal and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons;
- Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for take-out and outdoor dining only;
- Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries;
- Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools;
- Beach access and additional camping at Ontario Parks;
- Camping at private campgrounds;
- Outdoor-only recreational facilities and training for outdoor team sports, with limits to enable physical distancing;
- Drive-in and drive-through venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations;
- Film and television production activities, with limits to enable physical distancing; and
- Weddings and funerals, with limits on social gatherings to 10 people.
Also effective this Friday, the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people right across the province. Physical distancing practices will remain in place.
Places of worship will also be permitted to open with physical distancing in place, and attendance will be limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity.
In the coming days, the province is expected to release more details regarding childcare, summer camps, post-secondary education pilot projects, training centres and public transit.
For more on the announcement, click here.