Ontario has been gradually lifting rules surrounding live concerts, but the transition hasn't been smooth or straightforward. Even as the province announced that concert venues were returning to full capacity, members of the live music industry pointed out that restrictions still remained on shows without seating. Now, the industry is celebrating over a small but crucial rule change regarding unseated concerts.
Yesterday (October 27), the province issued some amendments to the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act. The Canadian Live Music Association shared this document with Exclaim!, pointing out that the word "seated" has been stricken from the act as it pertains to concert restrictions.
The Reopening Ontario Act previously stated, "Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open if they comply with the following conditions." One of those conditions read, "No member of the public may attend a seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema unless they have made a reservation to do so." That's the crucial paragraph from which the word "seated" has been removed.
This means that all concerts, both seated or standing, can now operate at full capacity starting immediately, the Toronto Star confirmed.
The Canadian Live Music Association celebrated the news with a tweet:
Yesterday (October 27), the province issued some amendments to the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act. The Canadian Live Music Association shared this document with Exclaim!, pointing out that the word "seated" has been stricken from the act as it pertains to concert restrictions.
The Reopening Ontario Act previously stated, "Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open if they comply with the following conditions." One of those conditions read, "No member of the public may attend a seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema unless they have made a reservation to do so." That's the crucial paragraph from which the word "seated" has been removed.
This means that all concerts, both seated or standing, can now operate at full capacity starting immediately, the Toronto Star confirmed.
The Canadian Live Music Association celebrated the news with a tweet:
This change was already coming on November 15 as part of the province's reopening roadmap, but this news means it comes into effect a couple weeks earlier than expected. Mask and vaccines will still be required for indoor shows.