What's closing in Toronto as part of Ontario's modified Stage 2 measures
Premier Doug Ford has announced closures in areas including Toronto, Peel, and Ottawa as COVID-19 cases in Ontario continue to spike.
After Friday’s record-breaking reported cases of 937, Ford has announced a step back into a modified Stage 2, ending indoor dining and enclosed gyms among other closures.
Here’s a list of what’s closed for the next 28 days in Ontario as of Saturday, October 10 at 12:01 am:
Closures
- Indoor gyms and fitness centres,
- Casinos, performing arts centres and venues, and
- Interactive exhibits
- Spectator areas in racing venues
- Galleries, and science centres
- Zoos and landmarks
- Wedding receptions suspended as of October 13
- Prohibiting personal care services where face coverings must be removed for the service (e.g. makeup application, beard trimming);
Restrictions
- Tour and guide services will have 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
- 10-person indoor limit also applies to real estate open houses if physical distancing cannot be maintained, and in-person teaching and instruction— like cooking classes, “with exemptions for schools, child care centres, universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, private career colleges, the Ontario Police College, etc.”
- Limit of meeting and event spaces and restricting team sports to just training sessions — games or scrimmages will no longer be allowed.
- Reduction in social gatherings and organized public events to maximum of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors where physical distancing can’t be maintained.
Open
- Retail stores and schools
- Places of worship
“The health experts presented the most recent health data which identified some alarming public health trends that require immediate attention and early action to keep people safe,” said Premier Doug Ford.
“That’s why we are making the difficult, but necessary decision to accept the health advice, and impose further restrictions in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region. By taking action ahead of the long weekend, we will help contain the spread in these hotspots, protect the surrounding communities, shield our seniors and most vulnerable, and contain the second wave surge. At the same time, we are providing support to our small businesses in these hotspots.”
The City of Toronto has already announced its suspension of recreational programs and services, based on advice from the Medical Officer of Health.
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Effective Tuesday, October 13, programs such as learn to skate and swim programs, dance, group fitness and wellness programs, hockey games and scrimmages, drop-in sports programs other than leisure and lane swim and leisure skate, table tennis, billiards, foosball, access to the City’s two conservatories and, indoor permits for social gatherings and sport games/group fitness, will be suspended.
“We are seeing the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 rising, hospitalization rates are growing, and community outbreaks are entering our nursing homes and vulnerable congregate settings,” said Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams.
“We need to act quickly, and we need everyone to follow the public health guidelines if we are going to stop the spread and contain the second wave.”
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