On February 14, 2022, Ontario announced its plan to move into Step Two of its reopening plan on February 17, 2022, which is three days sooner than originally planned. In our previous blog, we summarized Ontario’s original reopening plan which consists of three milestone dates when certain public health measures will be lifted.
The province’s decision to move into Step Two three days sooner than originally planned is informed by the recent improvements in key public health and health care indicators. If there continues to be no new concerning trends in public health and health care indicators, Ontario will subsequently move into the third phase of the reopening plan on March 1, 2022.
The following is a summary of the public health measures that will be lifted in the second and third steps of the province’s reopening plan:
February 17, 2022
As of February 17, 2022, social gathering limits will increase to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Organized public events will be limited to 50 people indoors, and there will be no limit for outdoor events.
Additionally, capacity limits will be removed in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
- restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;
- non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;
- cinemas;
- meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres;
- casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and
- indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements;
Sports arenas, concert venues, and theatres will be allowed to operate at 50% of its usual seating capacity. Furthermore, indoor capacity limits will be increased to 25% in remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants dancing takes place, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs.
Capacity limits will also increase for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. If the venue for the aforementioned activities opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors, capacity limits will be removed entirely.
As of February 18, 2022, Ontario will expand eligibility for receiving the booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to individuals between the ages of 12 to 17.
March 1, 2022
Ontario will lift capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings during this final stage of the reopening plan if public health and health system indicators continue to improve.
Additionally, the province will lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings, however businesses and other establishments will have a choice of whether they wish to continue to require proof of vaccination. While masking requirements (wearing a mask or face covering in indoor spaces) remain in place, the province intends to communicate the timeline for lifting masking requirements at a later date.
Takeaways for Employers
The province’s recent decision to “fast-track” its reopening plan and remove the proof of vaccination requirement for all settings as of March 1, 2022 is great news for employers. Many employers who may previously have experienced a decline in business operations due to capacity or closure restrictions will soon be able to operate at full capacity as of February 17, 2022.
Employers should note that although the proof of vaccination requirement will be lifted for all settings as of March 1, 2022, businesses and other establishments may still choose to require proof of vaccination.
We will continue to monitor for any news related to COVID-19, and will promptly post about any updates that are relevant to employers.