Reduced quarantine measures in Ontario
The province will move forward with Step #3 of its economic opening plan on July 16, nearly five days ahead of schedule.
Cabinet met Friday morning to confirm details of the upcoming event. As Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted:
"Thanks to the tireless efforts of our frontline medical heroes and the willingness of Ontarians to be vaccinated, we are ahead of our previously outlined plan to emerge from quarantine. While this is welcome news for those who want to return to normalcy, we will not stop vaccinating everyone who wants to be vaccinated to end this pandemic once and for all."
As of July 16, retailers in Ontario will be able to accept as many shoppers as they can. The only rule is that there will be a two-metre gap between customers. Restaurants, places where religious services are held and personal hygiene services are available under the same conditions. There will no longer be a limit on the number of people who can sit at one table in a restaurant.
Visiting hairdressing salons, beauty salons, etc. will be possible without wearing the mandatory protective masks.
Bars and restaurants with dance floors where food and drink sales are permitted will resume operation with a 25% capacity limit (up to 250 people).
Cinemas, museums, amusement parks, gyms and fitness centres will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity. Everyone will be able to resume contact and team sports activities.
Public meetings and public events will be allowed to gather up to 25 people in one room and up to 100 people outdoors.
Facial masks will continue to be needed in rooms and other places where physical distance cannot be maintained.
Speaking at a press conference Friday afternoon, Provincial Health System Chief Medical Officer Kieran Moore said it's best not to remove masks unnecessarily, "To keep COVID-19 under control, I advise continuing to wear masks. I will be sure to wear my mask on the subway, on the bus or on train rides throughout the upcoming fall and winter season so I don't get the virus myself or pass it on to others."
According to officials, the province of Ontario will remain in this phase of the coronavirus quarantine for at least 21 days. During that time, 80% of the province's residents (ages 12 and up) should receive their first vaccination, and 75% will already receive a second dose of the vaccine.
