Ontario has announced a plan to gradually ease its current lockdown restrictions, including laying out the schedule for reopening concert venues, nightclubs, movie theatres and more.
The three-step process begins on January 31, as seated concert venues, bars without dancing, theatres and cinemas — along with indoor dining, gyms, sporting events and more — can operate at 50 percent seated capacity or with 500 people, whichever is less. Private gatherings will increase to 10 people indoors (up from five) or 25 people outdoors.
On February 21, capacity limits will be lifted in some indoor settings where proof of vaccination is required, including cinemas, restaurants and more. Capacity at concert venues, theatres and sporting events will remain at 50 percent capacity. "Higher-risk settings" like nightclubs will open at 25 percent capacity, with proof of vaccination in place. Indoor social gathering limits will increase to 25 people, and outdoor gatherings will be set at 100 people.
On March 14, Ontario plans to lift all capacity restrictions in most indoor settings where proof of vaccination is required, including cinemas and concert venues. Social gathering limits will increase to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors.
Each of these steps is separated by 21 days so that the province can monitor public health trends. See Ontario's full breakdown of restrictions here.
Minister of Health Christine Elliott said, "Thanks to the sacrifices of Ontarians we are starting to see glimmers of hope. However we know the coming weeks will continue to pose challenges, especially for our hospital partners. As we continue to chart our path forward, we will continue to take a gradual and cautious approach to lifting public health measures to protect our hospital capacity and ensure patients can continue to access the care they need."
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said, "Thanks to the efforts of Ontarians going out to get their booster dose and adhering to current public health and workplace safety measures, we are in a position where we can begin planning to gradually and cautiously ease restrictions. The months ahead will require continued vigilance, as we don't want to cause any further disruption to people's everyday lives. We must continue to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities by following the measures in place and by vaccinating those who have not yet received their doses."
Ontario shut down all concerts and movie theatres (along with bars, gyms, indoor dining and more) on January 5. At that time, restrictions were scheduled to remain in place until at least January 26.
The three-step process begins on January 31, as seated concert venues, bars without dancing, theatres and cinemas — along with indoor dining, gyms, sporting events and more — can operate at 50 percent seated capacity or with 500 people, whichever is less. Private gatherings will increase to 10 people indoors (up from five) or 25 people outdoors.
On February 21, capacity limits will be lifted in some indoor settings where proof of vaccination is required, including cinemas, restaurants and more. Capacity at concert venues, theatres and sporting events will remain at 50 percent capacity. "Higher-risk settings" like nightclubs will open at 25 percent capacity, with proof of vaccination in place. Indoor social gathering limits will increase to 25 people, and outdoor gatherings will be set at 100 people.
On March 14, Ontario plans to lift all capacity restrictions in most indoor settings where proof of vaccination is required, including cinemas and concert venues. Social gathering limits will increase to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors.
Each of these steps is separated by 21 days so that the province can monitor public health trends. See Ontario's full breakdown of restrictions here.
Minister of Health Christine Elliott said, "Thanks to the sacrifices of Ontarians we are starting to see glimmers of hope. However we know the coming weeks will continue to pose challenges, especially for our hospital partners. As we continue to chart our path forward, we will continue to take a gradual and cautious approach to lifting public health measures to protect our hospital capacity and ensure patients can continue to access the care they need."
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said, "Thanks to the efforts of Ontarians going out to get their booster dose and adhering to current public health and workplace safety measures, we are in a position where we can begin planning to gradually and cautiously ease restrictions. The months ahead will require continued vigilance, as we don't want to cause any further disruption to people's everyday lives. We must continue to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities by following the measures in place and by vaccinating those who have not yet received their doses."
Ontario shut down all concerts and movie theatres (along with bars, gyms, indoor dining and more) on January 5. At that time, restrictions were scheduled to remain in place until at least January 26.