Without masks and distance: Canada loosens restrictions
The threshold of 75% of the vaccinated population has been reached. What has changed for the country's residents?
The Public Health Agency of Canada has updated the Health Measures Guidelines for COVID-19. It is a list of what people are and are not allowed to do, depending on vaccination status.
As of Friday, June 25, 76.5% of Canadians aged 12 and older had received at least one dose and 23.8% had received two doses. The figures exceeded the government's plan to begin easing restrictions after 75% of the population had been vaccinated once and 20% had been vaccinated twice.
In public places, e.g. at work or in transport, all applicable measures remain in force. The changes apply to outdoor gatherings, indoor gatherings and large-scale organised events.
Fully vaccinated
Those who have been vaccinated both times no longer need to wear masks and keep their distance outside if they gather with a small group of people — even if these people are not vaccinated. Close physical contact, hugs, and outdoor parties are allowed. Indoor gatherings without masks and distance with other fully vaccinated people are allowed.
During indoor gatherings with people from different households, among whom may be unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, the Public Health Agency recommends that vaccinated Canadians continue to wear masks and maintain a 2-metre distance. This includes various ceremonies, house parties, hall sports and religious gatherings.
It is also recommended that you wear masks and keep your distance indoors and outdoors if there are many people. For example, at concerts, sporting events and large parties.
The agency notes that you must wait 14 days after the second vaccination for full protection.
Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated
In general, the Agency encourages those who have received a single dose or who have not been vaccinated to keep their distance wherever possible. However, this is not always necessary.
For this population, small outdoor gatherings, including close physical contact, with fully vaccinated people are allowed. You don't have to wear masks or keep your distance, as long as everyone feels comfortable.
At outdoor gatherings where people from different households who may be partially vaccinated or unvaccinated are present, it is advisable to wear a mask and keep your distance. For example, at weddings or children's birthday parties.
It is acceptable to gather in rooms with a small number of people if everyone is comfortable and no one is in a risk group. The risk group includes people who, due to their health condition, can tolerate COVID-19 hardly.
Visiting house parties, indoor ceremonies, religious gatherings, gymnasiums and other places where vaccinated and unvaccinated people from different households gather are allowed, but those who have not been vaccinated or have done so once must wear a mask and keep their distance. The same rules apply when going to crowded places like concerts and sporting events.
