Ontario to move to Step 2 of reopening ahead of schedule allowing for haircuts, indoor gatherings
The Ontario government has confirmed that the province will enter the second stage of its COVID-19 reopening strategy two days ahead of schedule.
This means that starting Wednesday, people will once again be able to host indoor gatherings of up to five people, meet with up to 25 people outdoors, and finally, after months of closure, book personal care services like hair cuts.
Outdoor performances and team sports can also resume and outdoor attractions such as water parks are allowed to reopen.
“Because of the tireless work of our health care heroes, and the record setting success of our vaccine rollout, we are able to move into Step Two ahead of schedule on June 30 with the support of our public health experts,” Premier Doug Ford said in a news release issued Thursday.
The further loosening of public health restrictions means that outdoor dining capacity limits can increase to six people per table, essential retail can double to 50 per cent capacity and non-essential retail can move to 25 per cent capacity, up from 15.
Also, shopping malls can reopen with restrictions and larger indoor religious services, like wedding and funeral services, can resume at 25 per cent capacity.
READ MORE: What's allowed in each step of Ontario's three-tiered reopening plan?
CTV News Toronto reported Wednesday that Ford was considering moving up the second step of economic reopening by two days.
Prior to the announcement, the province had expected to enter Step 2 on July 2 at the earliest.
In order to enter Step 2 of the reopening strategy, the government said it needed to see 70 per cent of adults with one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 20 per cent with two doses for at least two weeks.
According to data released by the province, as of Wednesday, over 76 per cent of the population in Ontario above the age of 18 have received their first dose and over 29 per cent have received their second.
Based on Thursday's announcement, Ontario is expected to enter Step 3 of its reopening plan, which allows for the most lenient of public health restrictions, on July 21 if COVID-19 cases continue to trend downwards and the rate of vaccination remains high.
The Region of Waterloo will remain in Step 1 due to current COVID-19 data and the prevalence of the Delta variant, local health officials said. As well, Porcupine Health Unit, which has remained under lockdown orders, will move to Step 1 Friday.
Ontario’s outgoing Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams said Thursday that more detailed information on the reopening would be delivered in the coming days.
'There's more work ahead': Ontario’s top doctor says in final address
Williams held his final news conference Thursday at the helm of the province’s COVID-19 response.
Alongside his successor, Dr. Kieran Moore, Williams urged residents to continue following public health advice in the weeks and months ahead as the Delta variant threatens to become the dominant strain in the province.
“We’re in a good moment coming down, but there’s more work ahead,” he said.
Williams has delivered countless news conferences on the spread of the novel coronavirus in Ontario over the last 18 months and has been largely guiding the government’s response throughout the pandemic.
He was slated to retire in September of 2020, but that date was delayed by several months.
Moore, who previously served as the top doctor for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health, has been working with Williams since June 7 to ensure a smooth transition.
He thanked Williams for his service throughout the course of the pandemic while expressing his gratitude for his mentorship.
“You’ve worked tirelessly to guide Ontario through this pandemic and have shouldered a heavy responsibility and load and done so with integrity and compassion,” Moore said.
“I can only hope I can continue that level of dedication to Ontario.
The province says that Moore will be holding weekly updates every Tuesday at 3 p.m. on Ontario’s COVID-19 response, alongside Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Barbara Yaffe and Dr. Dirk Huyer, Coordinator, Provincial Outbreak Response.
Previously, the province had been holding COVID-19 media briefings every Monday and Thursday.
Moore will officially assume the role of chief medical officer of health on June 26.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.