Province Lifting Capacity Limits in Select Settings

Friday, 8 October 2021 at 16:53

By Linda Morgan

Starting tomorrow, some settings requiring a vaccine certificate, including concert venues, cinemas, and theatres can allow 100 percent capacity.

The province is cautiously lifting capacity limits in select indoor and outdoor settings where proof of vaccination is required.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore made the announcement today, saying it also includes some outdoor settings with a capacity below 20,000.

Effective at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, capacity limits will be lifted to 100 percent in the following settings:

Concert venues, theatres and cinemas;
Spectator areas of facilities for sports and recreational fitness (would not include gyms, personal training);
Meeting and event spaces (indoor meeting and event spaces will still need to limit capacity to the number that can maintain physical distancing);
Horseracing tracks, car racing tracks, and other similar venues; and
Commercial film and television productions with studio audiences.

"As we continue to see more Ontarians roll up their sleeves with over 22 million doses administered, our government is cautiously lifting capacity limits in select settings where we know proof of vaccination requirements are providing an added layer of protection to Ontarians," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "The fight against COVID-19 is not over and we must all remain vigilant by continuing to follow the public health measures we know work and keep us safe, and receiving your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if you have not already done so."

Officials say so far, there has been a limited number of outbreaks in the settings listed above.

Since the proof of vaccination requirement took effect, over 86 percent of eligible Ontarians have received one vaccination, and more than 81 percent are fully immunized.

"I am thankful for the continued efforts of Ontarians getting vaccinated and following public health measures and advice as we have continued to cautiously and gradually reopen the province. Our public health and health care indicators are continuing to trend in the right direction, and we are able to lift additional restrictions," said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. "However, now is not the time to let our guard down. We must all continue doing our part and continue strictly following the measures that remain in place and get as many people as we can fully vaccinated, especially as we enter the holiday season."

Capacity limits will remain in effect in all other remaining settings for the time being.