As of June 7th, from The Office of the Premier. Officials have announced that Ontario can finally enter Step 1 of the re-opening plan on Friday, June 11th. Originally planned for June 14th, the decline in daily cases as well as the positivity rate have prompted an early start.
With the warmer temperatures and premature summer days gracing our spring, it’s no secret that Ontarian’s all over have been anxiously awaiting the return of patios and gatherings with family and friends. So what does Step 1 of the re-opening plan mean for your summer plans? What exactly can you do and who exactly can you see?
While strict rules still remain in place under Step 1 of the province’s 3-step reopening framework, the majority of outdoor activities are now set to open this Friday; with masks, social distancing measures, and capacity limits in place, of course.
See below for your guide to all the rules for Step 1 in Ontario, so you can start planning your dates away from the house:
Patios
Patios can officially open at restaurants and bars; with social distancing measures and a limit of four people per table. Exceptions may be made if the group is from the same household, and a member is a mandatory caretaker.
Outdoor Social Gatherings
Outdoor public events and private social gatherings will be permitted with up to 10 people.
Sports and Fitness
Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor personal training, and outdoor sports training will be permitted for up to 10 people. Social distancing measures and class capacity limits are in place.
Indoor Gatherings
Indoor gatherings are generally not allowed, with some exceptions. Those who live alone can gather with one other household, and caregivers can gather with those they are caring for indoors.
Religious Services, Weddings and Funerals
Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies are permitted at up to 15 per cent capacity; as well as weddings and funerals.
Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, wedding services and funeral services must be socially distanced (at least two metres apart).
School Events
Outdoor graduation ceremonies (and other end-of-year school celebrations) are exempt from outdoor gathering limits, with restrictions.
Retail
Essential retail can open at 25 per cent capacity and non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity.
This doesn’t include stores inside malls, though, as only stores with street-facing entrances will be open for in-store shopping.
Stores in malls without street-facing entrances are still operating with curbside pick up and delivery (per store’s procedures).
Source: GlobalNews.ca, Ontario News (Office of the Premier)
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