Here are the new restrictions that will be in effect when businesses reopen in Toronto
The Government of Ontario has released new tiered recommendations for Toronto, Peel, and York Region to help slow the spread of COVID-19 while keeping the economy going.
The three hotspots, including Ottawa, have been on a temporary lockdown for almost 28 days.
The province has released five categories for restriction measures: prevent, protect, restrict, control, and lockdown.
On Saturday, November 7, at 12:01 am, Peel, York Region, and Ottawa will move from the “control” to “restrict” level. However, Toronto will likely not move to the restrict level until November 14 — at the request of Mayor John Tory.
Final decisions on moving public health unit regions into the framework will be made by the government based on updated data and in consultation with the chief medical officer of health, local medical officers of health, and other health experts, and the decisions will be reviewed weekly.
While the goal is to have every region in the “prevent” level, this tiered system is meant to provide regions experiencing different case counts with their own guidelines for prevention and control.
Government of Ontario
If Toronto were to move into the “restrict” level, restaurants, bars, cinemas, performing arts venues, gyms and more can open up again, but under very strict restrictions.
To make it easier to navigate, Daily Hive has broken down what is and is not allowed for residents of Toronto.
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Gatherings
The gathering limit for select public events and social gatherings at home, in parks, and more will still only allow 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. And for public events and social gatherings, it’s 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
For religious services, it’s 30% capacity for a particular room with physical distancing in place and 100 people can be inside if distancing can occur.
Restaurants, Bars, Food & Drink Establishments
In the “restrict” phase, indoor dining can resume with just 50 people maximum, and establishments must close at 10 pm. Liquor can only be sold from 9 am to 9 pm and there can be no consumption of liquor between 10 pm to 9 am.
Only four people can be seated together, and all patrons must be screened.
Strip clubs remain closed.
Government of Ontario
Sports and Recreational Facilities
There can be a maximum of 50 people per facility in all combined recreational fitness spaces or programs (not pools, rinks at arenas, community centres, or multi- purpose facilities).
There is also a required screening of all patrons and a maximum duration of stay to 60 minutes, exempt for sports.
No spectators will be permitted — exemptions will be made for parent/guardian supervision of children.
Retail
Fitting rooms must be limited to non-adjacent stalls, and lineups or patrons congregating outside must be managed by the venue with two-metre distance and face covering required.
Music must also be at a lower volume, and there is a safety plan for malls available upon request.
There is also a required screening of all patrons at malls and a capacity limit in stores.
Personal Care Services
If services require the patron to remove a face covering, then the service is prohibited.
Change rooms and showers will be closed as will bath houses, other adult venues, hot tubs, floating pools, and sensory deprivation pods.
There is also a required screening of all patrons.
Casinos, Bingo Halls, Gaming Establishments
Capacity in these venues cannot exceed 50 people, and table games are prohibited. Liquor cannot be sold or served between 9 am to 9 pm with no consumption of alcohol between 10 pm and 9 am.
There is also a required screening of all patrons.
Cinemas
There can only be 50 people per facility.
Liquor cannot be sold or served between 9 am to 9 pm with no consumption of alcohol between 10 pm and 9 am.
There is also a required screening of all patrons.
Performing Arts Facilities
Only 50 spectators indoors and 100 spectators outdoors can be allowed with two-metre physical distance maintained.
Singers and players of wind or brass instruments must be separated from spectators by plexiglass or some other barrier.
Rehearsal or performing a recorded or broadcasted event is permitted with people maintaining distance. Drive-in performances are still permitted.
Liquor cannot be sold or served between 9 am to 9 pm with no consumption of alcohol between 10 pm and 9 am.
There is also a required screening of all patrons.
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