Province Lifting Capacity Limits in Most Settings Where Proof of Vaccination Required

Friday, 22 October 2021 14:36

By Linda Morgan

Restaurants, bars, gyms, casinos, indoor meeting and event spaces can operate at full capacity starting Monday.

The provincial government is lifting capacity limits for most settings requiring customers to show proof of vaccination.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement today, along with Health Minister Christine Elliott and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore.

Starting Monday, capacity limits will be lifted in the following establishments:

restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments
indoor sports and recreational facilities such as gyms or areas where personal trainers provide instruction
casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
indoor meeting and event spaces

Certain outdoor settings will also see capacity limits lifted.

The government also plans to end capacity restrictions for higher-risk settings requiring vaccination proof on November 15th, including night clubs, wedding receptions in meeting/even spaces where there is dancing, strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs. Proof of vaccination requirements for these settings is expected to be lifted by February 7th.

Officials also plan to begin lifting capacity limits not requiring proof of vaccination on January 17th, at which point, proof of vaccination requirements may begin to be lifted for food and drink establishments, gaming facilities, and sports and recreational facilities.

The government notes that all remaining public health and safety measures, including the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces, are expected to be lifted by March 28th.

"Thanks to our cautious and careful approach to re-opening, we are now in position to gradually lift all remaining public health measures over the coming months," said Ford. "This plan is built for the long term. It will guide us safely through the winter and out of this pandemic, while avoiding lockdowns and ensuring we don’t lose the hard-fought gains we have made."

The government also says public health measures, such as reintroducing capacity limits and physical distancing, may be reintroduced on a local basis depending on local conditions.

You can listen to the full remarks from the Premier this afternoon below: