Most of Ontario will move to Stage 3 of reopening this week. Premier Doug Ford says starting this Friday at 12:01 am 24 regions – including the area covered by Southwestern Public Health – will move to Stage 3. Ford says this means dine-in restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, most personal care services, live shows, performing arts, movie theatres, casinos, recreational facilities, team sports live sports, and tour and guide services can start to reopen.
The limits on public gatherings have also been increased to 100 people outdoors and 50 indoors. Ford says they won’t stop until everyone in Ontario is back to work and on their feet. He adds they will provide updates every Monday on the next steps for regional reopening.
The following activities are not yet safe to open, even if a region has entered Stage 3, to prevent the spread of COVID‑19:
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Amusement parks and water parks;
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Buffet-style food services;
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Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements;
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Overnight stays at camps for children;
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Private karaoke rooms;
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Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports;
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Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars;
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Table games at casinos and gaming establishments.
The following public health unit regions will be allowed to move into Stage 3 first, on Friday, July 17, 2020:
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Algoma Public Health
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Brant County Health Unit
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Chatham-Kent Public Health
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Eastern Ontario Health Unit
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Grey Bruce Health Unit
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Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
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Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
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Huron Perth Public Health
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Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health
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Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
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Middlesex-London Health Unit
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North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
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Northwestern Health Unit
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Ottawa Public Health
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Peterborough Public Health
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Porcupine Health Unit
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Public Health Sudbury & Districts
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Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
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Renfrew County and District Health Unit
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Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit
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Southwestern Public Health
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Thunder Bay District Health Unit
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Timiskaming Health Unit
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Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
