Full list of what's reopening in Ontario and when as COVID-19 restrictions gradually lift
The Ontario government has announced it will slowly ease public health measures that have been in place to curb the spread of the highly-contagious Omicron variant.
Premier Doug Ford said during a news conference on Thursday that the province’s approach to winding back on restrictions, which took effect on Jan. 5, will be “cautious and gradual.”
The province detailed the reopening will take place over the course of three months with 21 days between each of the three stages.
CTV News Toronto has compiled a list of what’s reopening, at what capacity and when.
Jan. 31
- Social gatherings will be increased to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
- Sporting events, concert venues and theatres will be able to operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.
- Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities will be able to operate with 50 per cent capacity indoors.
- Retailers, including grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as shopping malls, can operate with 50 per cent capacity indoors.
- Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms, can operate with 50 per cent capacity indoors.
- Movie theatres, meeting rooms and event spaces can operate with 50 per cent capacity indoors.
- Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks, can operate with 50 per cent capacity indoors.
- Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions, as well as casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments can open at 50 per cent capacity indoors.
- Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies can take place at 50 per cent capacity.
- The province said enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.
Feb. 21
- Social gathering limits will increase to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
- Capacity limits will be lifted in indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required.
- Spectator capacity at sporting events, concert venues, and theatres will increase to 50 per cent capacity.
- Capacity is limited in most remaining indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is not required to the number of people that can maintain two metres of physical distance.
- Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies are limited to the number of people that can maintain two metres of physical distance, with no limit if proof of vaccination is required.
- Indoor capacity limits will be increased to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, wedding receptions in meeting or event spaces where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs.
- Enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.
March 14
- Social gathering limits will be increased to 50 people indoors with no limits for outdoor gatherings.
- Capacity limits will be lifted in all indoor public settings. Proof of vaccination will be maintained in existing settings in addition to other regular measures.
- Remaining capacity limits on religious services, rites, or ceremonies will be lifted.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Have you been removed from your family doctor’s patient list for visiting an Ontario walk-in clinic?
Some Ontarians are expressing frustration after they said that they were removed from their family doctor’s patient list for visiting a walk-in clinic in a process being called “de-rostering.”