Ontario's plan to remove restrictions
The province may ease quarantine measures as early as next month.
The Ontario government has released a plan to ease restrictions in the province. Quarantine measures will be relaxed mainly by vaccinating more residents and low COVID-19 incidence rates.
"Thanks to the rigorous public health measures we have put in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19 strain, we are seeing a steady improvement as the workload in hospitals and intensive care units begins to stabilize," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. — And while we must still be aware of the ongoing threat from the virus, millions of Ontarians have already received at least their first dose of vaccine, so we can begin the slow and careful process of opening up the province in full collaboration with our public health experts."
Ontario's Roadmap of Reopen includes three phases of easing restrictions:
- Resumption of outdoor activities: Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed, lunches on café and restaurant porches with a limit of 4 people per table. Secondary businesses with a limited capacity of 15% will also be allowed to open.
- Increase in permitted outdoor activities and resumption of indoor activities, but with masks worn. Outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, sports activities, resumption of camping, personal hygiene services, religious rituals and ceremonies with a limited capacity of 15% will be allowed.
- Further relaxation of restrictions on indoor activities, including where masks cannot be worn. People will be able to exercise in gyms, visit canteens and cafes, museums, art galleries, libraries, casinos, etc. with limited capacity.
Each phase of the plan will last at least 21 days — during which time authorities will be able to monitor the situation in Ontario. To move to the next stage, the province must have a vaccination plan in place:
- Stage 1 — 60% of adults are vaccinated with at least one dose;
- Stage 2 — 70% of adults are vaccinated with one dose and 20% with two doses;
- Stage 3 — 70-80% of adults are vaccinated with one dose and 25% with two doses.
Based on current incidence and vaccination rates, the Ontario government expects the first phase of the opening to take effect between June 14 and June 20.
"There are brighter days ahead and we believe the discovery card is a way out of the pandemic and will encourage Ontarians to get vaccinated and continue to comply with current restrictions," said Provincial Health Minister Christine Elliott.
Ontario currently has a "stay-at-home order," which involves strict quarantine restrictions. It was recently extended until June 2. But thanks to the success of the vaccination, outdoor recreation and sports venues will open in the province as early as May 22, with a mandatory distance and outdoor gatherings of up to 5 people will be allowed. All other measures will remain in place.
Currently, 58.5% of Ontarians 18 and older have been vaccinated at least once. It is expected that 65% of the population will be immunized by the end of May.
