Canada’s largest province is moving to the next phase of reopening.
Ontario businesses like hair salons, shopping malls, swimming pools, beaches and campgrounds can open again as of Friday, Premier Doug Ford said Monday. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to open their outdoor dining areas and patios for the first time since the pandemic began. Ontario is also boosting the number of people allowed to congregate in one place to 10 from five.
In addition to increasing the size of social gatherings from five to 10, CBC reports that the government says places of worship will be able to welcome congregants again with a 30 per cent capacity limit. Both changes also take effect on Friday throughout the province, regardless of public health unit.
In areas allowed to move into the next stage, restaurants, bars and food trucks will be able to open for outdoor dining on patios and in parking lots or adjacent premises. The province is allowing licensed establishments to set up or expand their outdoor eating spaces without an application fee to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Here is a list of businesses and services allowed to reopen in regions entering Stage 2:
- Select personal and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons.
- Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for takeout and outdoor dining only.
- Tour and guide services, such as biking and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tastings and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries.
- Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools.
- Beach access and additional camping at Ontario Parks.
- Camping at private campgrounds.
- Outdoor-only recreational facilities and training for outdoor team sports, with limits to enable physical distancing.
- Drive-in and drive-thru venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations.
- Film and television production activities, with limits to enable physical distancing.
- Weddings and funerals, with limits on social gatherings to 10 people.
However, despite the good news, Toronto, its financial capital, and surroundings are excluded from plan.
