The provincial government is taking a regional approach for Phase 2 of reopening Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on Monday afternoon, joined by Health Minister Christine Elliott, Finance Minister Rod Phillips, Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli, and Labour Minister Monte McNaughton.
Phase 1, which was announced on May 14, included the reopening of retail stores with street entrances, outdoor sports fields, and medical service businesses.
A total of 34 regions of the province will be allowed to move onto Phase 2 starting on Friday at 12:01 a.m. Those not permitted to move onto Phase 2 include the Windsor-Essex region, Sarnia-Lambton, Toronto, Durham, Halton, Haldimand-Norfolk, Peek, York, Niagara and Hamilton.
Businesses and services that will be permitted to reopen with proper health and safety measures in place in regions entering Stage 2 include:
-Outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties
-Select personal and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barbershops, hair salons and beauty salons
-Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for take-out and outdoor dining only
-Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting 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-through 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
Regardless of whether a region has moved to Stage 2, the province will also increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people across the province starting on Friday. Additionally, all places of worship in Ontario will be permitted to open with physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers.
According to Elliott, the regions were selected based on a decrease in new daily cases and having sufficient hospital capacity in the event of any spikes or outbreaks.
"Our regional approach recognizes that different regions in the province are experiencing COVID-19 differently and can safely and gradually ease restrictions and reopen local businesses. We will continue to monitor any shifts in the spread and take decisive action to contain any outbreaks," explained Elliott.
At the beginning of each week, the government will provide an update on the ongoing assessment of the remaining regions and whether they are ready to move into Stage 2 at the end of the week.
Despite the news of reopening, Ford said Ontarians are still encouraged to follow health recommendations including social distancing and wearing face coverings while out in public.
"Entering Stage 2 means parts of the province will see more people back on the job and an opportunity to get back together with friends and family," said Ford. "Although this is extremely encouraging, I urge everyone to exercise caution and continue to follow public health advice as we are not out of the woods yet."
According to Ford, more information will be revealed in the near future in regards to reopening childcare centres, summer camps, public transit and post-secondary facilities.
As of Monday morning, Ontario's COVID-19 case count sits at 30,860 with 24,492 of those cases listed as being recovered.