Ontario is returning to 100 percent capacity in concert venues and cinemas.
After 19 months of varying degrees of lockdown, the province has announced that, effective tomorrow (October 9), restrictions on capacity will be lifted in certain indoor settings where proof of vaccination is required. In addition to concert venues and cinemas, this includes film and TV productions with studio audiences, sports arenas, event spaces and more. (It does not include gyms.)
That said, the government's announcement does not reflect the current restrictions outlined on its own COVID-19 public health measures and advice page, which, as of press time, still indicates 50 percent capacity restrictions on certain indoor venues.
Ontario's Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott said in a statement, "As we continue to see more Ontarians roll up their sleeves with over 22 million doses administered, our government is cautiously lifting capacity limits in select settings where we know proof of vaccination requirements are providing an added layer of protection to Ontarians. The fight against COVID-19 is not over and we must all remain vigilant by continuing to follow the public health measures we know work and keep us safe, and receiving your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if you have not already done so."
While full capacity in venues is now allowed, other safety measures will remain in place — namely, face coverings and proof of vaccination requirements.
An announcement from the province notes that, since introducing proof of vaccination requirements, Ontario has hit new milestones: 81.9 percent of people aged 12 and up have two doses, and 86.8 percent have one. Even with the vast majority of Ontario residents being fully vaccinated, most new COVID-19 cases continue to be among the unvaccinated population.
Read more about the new regulations here.
After 19 months of varying degrees of lockdown, the province has announced that, effective tomorrow (October 9), restrictions on capacity will be lifted in certain indoor settings where proof of vaccination is required. In addition to concert venues and cinemas, this includes film and TV productions with studio audiences, sports arenas, event spaces and more. (It does not include gyms.)
That said, the government's announcement does not reflect the current restrictions outlined on its own COVID-19 public health measures and advice page, which, as of press time, still indicates 50 percent capacity restrictions on certain indoor venues.
Ontario's Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott said in a statement, "As we continue to see more Ontarians roll up their sleeves with over 22 million doses administered, our government is cautiously lifting capacity limits in select settings where we know proof of vaccination requirements are providing an added layer of protection to Ontarians. The fight against COVID-19 is not over and we must all remain vigilant by continuing to follow the public health measures we know work and keep us safe, and receiving your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if you have not already done so."
While full capacity in venues is now allowed, other safety measures will remain in place — namely, face coverings and proof of vaccination requirements.
An announcement from the province notes that, since introducing proof of vaccination requirements, Ontario has hit new milestones: 81.9 percent of people aged 12 and up have two doses, and 86.8 percent have one. Even with the vast majority of Ontario residents being fully vaccinated, most new COVID-19 cases continue to be among the unvaccinated population.
Read more about the new regulations here.
