Ontario continues to lift COVID-19 capacity limits in certain settings due to improved public health indicators. As of February 17, restaurants, gyms, cinemas, meeting spaces, and gaming establishments now have no limits on capacity, although they must screen patrons for vaccination against COVID-19.
The province will now allow 50% of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas and 50% of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres.
As for the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required (e.g., nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, bathhouses, sex clubs, etc.), the province increased indoor capacity limits to 25%.
For indoor weddings, funerals, religious services, rites, or ceremonies, the province will now allow an increase that corresponds to the number of people who can maintain two metres of physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.
Other indoor public settings, including grocery stores, pharmacies, retail, and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.
Outdoor social gatherings can have up to 100 people; organized outdoor events have no limit on the number of people.
His personal views aside, as Ontario’s Premier @fordnation should be taking every opportunity to highlight the benefits of vaccination not repeating anti-vax talking points. Disgraceful. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/reOezgTug6
— Steven Del Duca (@StevenDelDuca) February 15, 2022
The province also intends to fully lift capacity limits on businesses and social gatherings on March 1. At a press conference on Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford got in hot water after stating it’s time to move forward from public health restrictions.
“I hate as a government telling anyone what to do. We’ve just got to get moving forward and get out of this and protect the jobs,” Ford said. “The world’s done with it, so let’s just move forward.”
“We also know that it doesn’t matter if you have one shot or 10 shots, you can still catch COVID-19,” he added.
Some criticized the premier for “repeating anti-vax talking points”.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the province reported 2,337 new cases of COVID-19, with 1,281 hospitalizations and 352 people in the ICU due to COVID-19. Last Friday, the province reported 1,829 hospitalizations with 435 people in ICU. Of the 1,281 hospitalizations, 51% of patients were admitted because of the virus, while 49% were admitted for other reasons, but tested positive for COVID-19.
According to Health Minister Christine Elliott, 81% of patients admitted to the ICU were admitted for COVID-19 and 19% were admitted for other reasons but have tested positive for COVID-19.
The province is also reporting that 31,424,288 vaccine doses have been administered; 92.5% of Ontarians 12+ have one dose and 90.3% have two doses.
Click here for more COVID-19 Ontario news, and here for where you could get rapid COVID-19 tests in Toronto (including a drive-thru option).
