Ontario announces modified Stage 2 restrictions for Toronto, Peel and Ottawa

As COVID-19 cases continue to rapidly rise across the province, the Ford government is introducing targeted public health measures in hotspots such as Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa.

The government says these modified Stage 2 restrictions will be enforced for a minimum of 28 days and reviewed afterwards.

Additionally, the government says it will be reducing limits for all social gatherings and organized public events to a max of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. These limits cannot be combined for both events.

The new measures will be effective as of Saturday, October 10, just after midnight.

 

What will close:

• Indoor gyms and fitness centres (yoga studios, dance studios)

 

• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments

 

• Cinemas

 

• Performing arts centres and venues

 

• Spectator areas in racing venues

 

• Interactive exhibits or exhibits with high risk of personal contact in museums,
  galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, etc.

 

• Prohibiting personal care services where face coverings must be removed for the service

 

Ontario’s top doctor, David Williams, summarizes what establishments will see restrictions, and why

 

 

There will also be added restrictions and prohibitions when it comes to indoor dining at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including nightclubs.

“There were recent studies of transmission in restaurants, so we’re going to ask that while patios stay open, there will be no indoor dining in these regions for the next 28 days,” Williams said.

Food courts in malls will also be closed in these sweeping modifications.

Schools and places of worship will remain open.

 

RELATED: Toronto releases COVID-19 data revealing where the virus could be headed

 

Tour and guide services will also be restricted to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, real estate open houses are being trimmed to 10 people indoors, and in-person teaching and instruction are being reduced to 10 people indoors and 25 with exemptions for schools, child care centres, universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, private career colleges, and the Ontario Police
College.

Meantime, effective Tuesday, October 13, at 12:01 a.m., updated public health measures will apply to wedding receptions, including new gathering limits of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors at event spaces.

The government says wedding receptions scheduled this weekend may proceed in line with current public health measures.

This comes as a number of registered and instructional programs, group fitness and wellness programs in Toronto are set to be suspended as of October 13.

Chief Medical Officer of Health, doctor David Williams is urging Ontarians to limit trips outside of home, except for essential visits, and to maintain physical distancing measures.

Ontario reported 939 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 336 in Toronto, 150 in Peel, and 126 in Ottawa.

 

 

RELATED: Ontario sees another record day of new reported COVID-19 cases