Ontario's premier says key public health and health system indicators are improving in regards to COVID-19 and the next phase of easing restrictions will start February 17th at 12:01 a.m.
While those will include some capacity limits, it will not include proof of vaccination or masking. Proof of vaccination will be reviewed March 1st and masking will stay in place for the time being.
Premier Doug Ford says he received advice from Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore, and they're moving to cautiously and gradually ease some public health measures sooner.
“Given how well Ontario has done in the Omicron wave we are able to fast track our reopening plan,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This is great news and a sign of just how far we've come together in our fight against the virus. While we aren’t out of the woods just yet we are moving in the right direction.”
As of February 17 the following will include, but be limited to: -Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors -Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors -Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to: Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms Cinemas Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments -Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements -Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas -Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres -Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs -Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres 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 -Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as 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
Vaccination clinics will continue throughout the province. And as of 8 a.m. on February 18, the booster dose eligibility will be expanded to youth aged 12 to 17.
"We're moving in this direction because it is safe to do so," added Ford. "Today's announcement is not because of what is happening in Ottawa or Windsor."
The next key date is now March 1st. At that time, if public health and health system indicators continue to improve, more restrictions will be lifted.
That would include lifting remaining capacity limits and lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.
Masking requirements will stay in place until further notice.
"All of the metrics are improving dramatically in terms of the number of people hospitalized, number of people in the intensive care unit, percentage of the tests that are positive. So we'll continue to monitor those data sets," said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health. "As well as the on-going availability on PCR to make a decision on masking."
The government had indicated in January that restrictions would start to ease on February 21st. Monday's announcement moved that timeline up by several days.
"So we have the level of protection that we need to remove public health measures and have made terrific strides in reducing risks," added Dr. Moore.
--with files from Kate Stockmann