Reopening Ontario and Getting People Back to Work in Stage 3
Nearly all businesses and public spaces will reopen this week in Stage 3 of the province’s reopening framework
Together, Ontario has made tremendous progress in the ongoing fight against COVID-19, thanks to the sacrifice and hard work of frontline heroes and volunteers, and the personal responsibility shown by families and communities across the province.
As a result, our PC government continues to reopen more businesses and public spaces in Stage 3 of the province’s reopening framework, with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place. Effective Friday, July 31 at 12:01 a.m., the City of Toronto and Peel Region will move into Stage 3, with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place
These regions will join the 31 public health regions that entered into Stage 3 on July 17 and 24, 2020.
Regions remaining in Stage 2 will maintain the existing gathering limit of 10 people. Social circles in all stages at this point will also be kept to a maximum of 10 people province-wide, regardless of stage.
As part of Stage 3 reopening, Ontario will be increasing gathering limits for those regions entering the next stage to the following (which are subject to physical distancing requirements):
- Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people.
- Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health, public health experts and other officials have advised the following, high-risk places and activities are not yet safe to open, even if a region has entered Stage 3:
- Amusement parks and water parks
- Buffet-style food services
- Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements
- Overnight stays at camps for children
- Private karaoke rooms
- Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports
- Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars
- Table games at casinos and gaming establishments
“With almost all businesses and services able to resume operations, Stage 3 is a major step forward in our plan to reopen the province,” said Rod Phillips, MPP for Ajax and Minister of Finance. “We have to keep treating each other with respect and acting responsibly to keep up the progress in our fight against COVID-19. Our government will continue working with our partners across Ontario to rebuild our economy so that our province is a place of economic strength and prosperity for every person and family.”
Thank you for your ongoing support. Our success in the fight against COVID-19 belongs to the great people of this province, who have rallied together and shown Canada and the world what it means to have the Ontario Spirit. Through everyday actions like getting people back to work, buying made-in-Ontario products, and safely shopping at local small businesses, together we will make Stage 3 success and get Ontario’s economy growing again.