Ontario’s premier say key public health and health system indicators are improving in regards to COVID-19 and the next phase of easing restrictions will start February 17th at 12:01 a.m.
While those will include some capacity limits, it will not include proof of vaccination or masking. Proof of vaccination will be reviewed March 1st and masking will stay in place for the time being.
Premier Doug Ford says he received advice from Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore, and they’re moving to cautiously and gradually ease some public health measures sooner.
“Given how well Ontario has done in the Omicron wave we are able to fast track our reopening plan,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This is great news and a sign of just how far we’ve come together in our fight against the virus. While we aren’t out of the woods just yet we are moving in the right direction.”
As of February 17 the following will include, but be limited to:
Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
Cinemas
Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements
Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.
Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.
Vaccination clinics will continue throughout the province. And as of 8 a.m. on February 18, the booster dose eligibility will be expanded to youth aged 12 to 17.
The next key date is now March 1st. At that time, if public health and health system indicators continue to improve, more restrictions will be lifted.
That would include lifting remaining capacity limits and lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.
Masking requirements will stay in place until further notice.
The government had indicated in January that restrictions would start to ease on February 21st. Monday’s announcement moved that timeline up by several days.
