Ontario's top doctor willing to consider lifting capacity limits in venues with mandatory vaccination requirements
Ontario’s top public health official says that he would support lifting capacity limits in some places with mandatory vaccination requirements, potentially paving the way for larger crowds at some of the city’s professional sporting venues this fall.
Step three of the Ontario government’s reopening plan currently caps the number of people allowed to attend a sporting event at a maximum of 1,000 people indoors and 15,000 people outdoors.
But with many sporting organizations making it mandatory for fans 12 and up to either be fully immunized against COVID-19 or provide a negative test result, questions are beginning to be raised about whether capacity limits could be increased to permit teams to sell more tickets.
During a briefing on Tuesday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said that he would support lifting capacity limits for many venues that mandate vaccination though he acknowledged that it is a decision that ultimately has to be made by the Ford government.
“I would think that the government should assess that if everyone in that environment is immunized then that's a very low risk event,” he said. “So I would hope that the government will make a decision to enable them to move forward even if we have other restrictions in place.”
Moore has said that he would like to see Ontario reach a point when 90 per cent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated though he acknowledged on Tuesday that the target is an “aspirational goal” and should not be a “a measure by which we can hold businesses back.”
He said that he is “very supportive” of businesses that have adopted vaccination polices, specifically citing the Ontario Hockey League which announced this week that it would require proof of full vaccination for those wishing to access any of its facilities.
He also alluded to other policies being put in place by professional sporting organizations.
Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Argos, has said that it will require that employees and guests provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to access their facilities as of mid-September.
The Blue Jays have also announced a similar policy for the final 12 home games of their regular season.
“I do think the government will look very favourably on that and not hold them back in any restriction, but that would be a government decision,” Moore told reporters.
The Ford government had intended to lift virtually all remaining public health restrictions once 75 per cent of residents were fully immunized but put that on hold due to concerns about the Delta-driven fourth wave of the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Sask. police seize 1.5M pieces of evidence, lay 60 more charges in child exploitation case
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.
Oilers starting Calvin Pickard in goal for Game 4 vs. Canucks
The Edmonton Oilers will start Calvin Pickard in net Tuesday for Game 4 of their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker rails against Pride month, working women in commencement speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against Pride month, working women, President Biden's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and abortion during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend.
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
King Charles III has unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues.
Full List Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Alberta announces the 4 health agencies that will replace AHS later this year
The province has released more information on its plan to break up Alberta Health Services and replace it with four sector-based health agencies.
Biden administration moving ahead on US$1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than US$1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.