The Ontario government recently announced that effective Monday, March 1, 2021, a number of health regions across the province will move to new colour-coded categories in the province`s new COVID-19 response framework. In most cases, the affected regions will move “downwards” into less restrictive categories, but in two cases – Simcoe-Muskoka and Thunder Bay – the most restrictive measures (“containment”) will now come into effect. From Saturday 17 April 2021 at 12:01, the following public health and safety measures at work will be implemented: From 25. October 2021 at 12:01 p.m., the province has lifted capacity limits in most environments where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to restaurants; Grid; Indoor spaces for sports and leisure facilities such as gyms and where personal fitness trainers give lessons; Casinos; and indoor meeting and event spaces. Other facilities may also remove capacity limits and physical distancing requirements if they choose to require proof of vaccination. Some of these facilities include personal care services; museums, galleries, zoos and similar attractions; indoor spaces for amusement parks, fairs and festivals; interiors of photo studios and services; Real estate agency open house events; and places where weddings, funerals or services, rites or ceremonies are held. This is good news for local business owners, operators and customers. Residents can consult the provincial government`s plan to safely reopen Ontario and manage COVID-19 over the long term for more information. Three of Ontario`s health regions – North Bay-Parry Sound, Peel and Toronto – will remain outside the new framework for at least Monday, March 8, 2021. In these regions, the lockdown order introduced on 26 December 2020, which replaced the new framework, remains in force. For these purposes, “full vaccination” means that a vaccination with two vaccinations was carried out at least 14 days before. Immunization receipts can be downloaded from the province`s reservation portal. People with medical reasons for not being fully vaccinated can be admitted to places with a medical certificate, while the government is developing an electronic state of emergency registration system.
Some temporary alternatives are permitted for those attending weddings and funerals during the three-week period beginning September 22, 2021. Segregation guidelines have also been amended. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19, please consult the Ministry of Health`s COVID-19 Case Information Centre and Contact Information in durham.ca/covidinfohub or visit ontario.ca/exposed to determine what action to take. If you feel sick or have symptoms, it is still important that you stay home and not put others at risk of getting sick. Although schools and daycares are no longer required to screen, parents should continue to screen their children for symptoms daily and keep them home if they are not feeling well. Please refer to durham.ca/covidinfohub or ontario.ca/exposed for details on how long individuals should be isolated if they have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, as guidelines depend on the person`s health status, age and vaccination status. On Friday, April 16, 2021, the Government of Ontario, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health professionals, announced stricter measures under the provincial stay-at-home order. In addition, the province`s declaration of emergency and stay-at-home order were extended for an additional two weeks, until at least May 20, 2021, to stop the spread of COVID-19.
On March 5, 2021, the Ontario government announced that effective Monday, March 8, 2021, the remaining three health regions under the December 26, 2020 stay-at-home order will return to the new “colour-coded” framework system. The next big step, originally scheduled for November 15, 2021 but suspended from November 10, is to lift capacity restrictions on nightclubs, wedding receptions and other dance venues, as well as public baths and strip clubs. These environments, which are and will continue to be accessible only to vaccinated people, are at increased risk of coronavirus transmission. The November 10 announcement indicated that the situation would be monitored over the next 28 days to determine when it would be safe to proceed with the lifting of capacity restrictions. On December 7, 2021, this “pause” was renewed as the Ontario government continued to assess the importance of the “Omicron” variant.
