Ontario enters Stage 1 of re-opening Friday. Here’s what that means

Thestar.com
June 11, 2021
Jennifer Pagliaro

Toronto and the rest of the province will official begin Ontario’s new re-opening plan on Friday.

The new rules, which were originally targeted to come into force on June 14, focus on outdoor activities that can resume while other long-awaited plans like haircuts will still have to wait.

The province says the plan can start a few days early after surpassing the threshold of 60 per cent of adults who have at least one dose. As of June 6, the province said in a press release, 72 per cent of all adults aged 18 and older had one dose.

Here’s what will be open and closed:

Construction: All restrictions will be lifted.

Gatherings: Outdoor gatherings with up to 10 people are allowed. Indoor gatherings with other households will still not be permitted.

Meeting and event spaces: Will still be closed.

Performing arts, cinemas and other attractions: Drive-in cinemas will open, as will outdoor zoos, outdoor museums and outdoor botanical gardens. Other attractions will remain closed.

Personal care services: Will all still be closed, including hair and nail salons.

Public libraries: Curbside services only continue with indoor use of computer and printer services only.

Recreation, sports and fitness: Day camps will open, as will campsites and Ontario Parks. Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways will open with no spectators. Outdoor pools will open (10 Toronto locations to open with a reservation system as of June 12 with more locations opening for the season on June 19. City wading pools will open June 30). Outdoor team sports will be allowed with up to 10 people and three metres of physical distancing. Outdoor fitness classes and personal training will be allowed for up to 10 people and three metres of physical distancing. Indoor amenities will still be closed except for high-performance athletes and those requiring physical therapy. Overnight camps will remain closed.

Religious services and ceremonies: Outdoor ceremonies like funerals and weddings can now take place with any number of people where physical distancing can be maintained. This does not apply to receptions. Indoor ceremonies are now limited to 15 per cent of the venue capacity.

Restaurants: Outdoor dining on patios and sidewalk cafes will resume with maximum groups of four people per table unless everyone seated is part of the same household.

Retail: Non-essential retail will open for in-store shopping with a capacity of 15 per cent. Stores in malls without street-facing entrances remain closed. Essential retail (i.e., groceries, pharmacy) will continue to be open at 25 per cent capacity but can now sell all goods.

Short-term rentals: Booking of cabins, cottages and non-hotel or resort spaces can resume for those not in need of housing.

TV/Film production: Will be limited to 50 performers on set and distance requirements in place for crew. No studio audience.