THE COUNTIES, Ontario - The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health care indicators. In response to recent improvements to these indicators, Ontario will allow more outdoor recreational amenities to reopen, with restrictions in place, effective May 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
“As a result of the strict public health measures we introduced to stop the spread of COVID-19 variants, we are seeing a steady improvement in our situation as ICU and hospital numbers begin to stabilize,” said Premier Doug Ford. “While we must remain conscious of the continued threat the virus poses, with millions of Ontarians having received at least their first dose of vaccine we can now begin the process of a slow and cautious re-opening of the province in full consultation with our public health professionals.”
Roadmap to Reopen outlines three steps to easing public health measures, guided by the following principles:
- Step One An initial focus on resuming outdoor activities with smaller crowds where the risk of transmission is lower, and permitting retail with restrictions. This includes allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining with up to four people per table and non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity.
- Step Two Further expanding outdoor activities and resuming limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn. This includes outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, outdoor sports and leagues, personal care services where face coverings can be worn and with capacity limits, as well as indoor religious services, rites or ceremony gatherings at 15 per cent capacity.
- Step Three Expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions, including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn. This includes indoor sports and recreational fitness; indoor dining, museums, art galleries and libraries, and casinos and bingo halls, with capacity limits.
The province will remain in each step for at least 21 days to evaluate any impacts on key public health and health system indicators. If at the end of the 21 days, the following vaccination thresholds have been met, along with positive trends in other key public health and health system indicators, then the province will move to the next step:
- Step 1: 60 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose.
- Step 2: 70 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 20 per cent vaccinated with two doses.
- Step 3: 70 to 80 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 25 per cent vaccinated with two doses.
Based on current trends in key health indicators, including the provincial vaccination rate, the government expects to enter Step One of the Roadmap the week of June 14, 2021. The province will confirm closer to the expected start of Step One.
“While we know that now is not yet the moment to reopen, Ontarians deserve to know the path forward on what we will carefully reopen and when, starting with the settings we know are safest,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Brighter days are ahead and we believe this Roadmap represents a path out of the pandemic and will encourage Ontarians to get vaccinated and to continue following public health advice.”
The provincewide emergency brake restrictions remain in effect while the province assesses when it will be moving to Step One of the roadmap with the Stay at Home order expiring on June 2, 2021. During this time, the government will continue to work with stakeholders on reopening plans to ensure full awareness of when and how they can begin to safely reopen.
Due to the continuing success of Ontario’s vaccine rollout and the collective efforts of Ontarians in following public health and workplace safety measures to date, effective May 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. the province will reopen outdoor recreational amenities with restrictions in place, such as the need to maintain physical distancing. These amenities include but are not limited to golf courses and driving ranges, soccer and other sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, and skate parks. No outdoor sports or recreational classes are permitted. Outdoor limits for social gatherings and organized public events will be expanded to five people, which will allow these amenities to be used for up to five people, including with members of different households. All other public health and workplace safety measures under the provincewide emergency brake will remain in effect.
At this time, publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools in the province will continue to operate under teacher-led remote learning. Data will be assessed on an ongoing basis and medical experts, including the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and other health officials will be consulted to determine if it may be safe to resume in-person learning.
“Due to the stringent efforts of Ontarians following public health and workplace safety measures, we have reached the point where we can begin preparing to exit the provincewide emergency brake and lift the Stay-at-Home order,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “We must remain vigilant however, as the fight against COVID-19 is not over and our case counts, ICU capacity and hospitalizations are still concerning. It remains critical that all Ontarians continue to follow all public health and workplace safety measures currently in place to help further reduce transmission and save lives.”
The government will continue to work with the Public Health Measures Table, Public Health Ontario, and other public health and scientific experts to determine public health guidance for Ontarians to follow, including protocols for masking and outdoor/indoor gatherings, after being fully vaccinated.
Roadmap to Reopen at a glance:
Subject / Sector | Before Step One | Step One | Step Two | Step Three |
Retail | Essential retail at 25% capacity; Other restrictions apply to some essential retailers (e.g. restricted hours, appointments required, etc.) In-store shopping at discount and big box retailers limited to essential goods Curbside pick-up or delivery for non-essential retail Restrictions on shopping malls | Essential retail at 25% capacity and and can sell all goods (including discount and big box) Non-essential retail at 15% capacity Retail stores in malls closed unless the stores have a street facing entrance. | Essential retail at 50% capacity Non-essential retail at 25% capacity | Essential and non-essential retail open with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing |
Liquor stores | Open at 25% capacity, with restricted hours | Open at 25% capacity | Open at 50% capacity | Open with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing |
Restaurants and bars | Open for take-out, drive-through and delivery service | Outdoor dining with 4 people per table and other restrictions | Outdoor dining with 6 people per table and other restrictions Karaoke permitted with restrictions (outdoor) | Indoor dining with capacity and some other restrictions Outdoor dining with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing Buffets permitted Karaoke permitted with restrictions |
Personal care services | Closed | Closed Sensory deprivation pods permitted when prescribed by a regulated health professional | Open at 25% capacity to maximum of 5 people Appointment required Services that require the removal of a face covering not permitted Only patrons being served can be in the setting | Open with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing and other restrictions |
Sports and recreational fitness facilities | Closed for indoor use except for high-performance athletes, child care, mental health and addiction support services, social services, and physical therapy (subject to conditions) | Outdoor team sports – training only, 10 people max, 3m distance Closed for indoor use except for high-performance athletes, social services, and physical therapy | Outdoor sports leagues open Training for professional or amateur athletes and/or competitions | Indoor open, with some restrictions Outdoor open, with some restrictions |
Personal fitness and training | Closed – no indoor or outdoor sports or recreational classes at any indoor or outdoor sport and recreational facilities | Outdoor fitness classes – 10 people max, 3m distance Outdoor personal training – 10 people max, 3m distance Outdoor sports training only – 10 people max, 3m distance | Outdoor fitness classes – 25 people max, 3m distance Outdoor personal training – 25 people max, 3m distance | Indoor open, with some restrictions Outdoor open, with some restrictions |
Outdoor recreational amenities | Open, including golf courses, tennis courts, skateboarding parks, sports fields, BMX and skate parks, shooting ranges and archery ranges, and others, with restrictions. Horse riding permitted, with restrictions No outdoor sports or recreational classes are permitted. | Open | Open | Open |
Water features | Closed | Outdoor pools, splash pads, spray pads, whirlpools, wading pools and water slides open with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing | Outdoor pools, splash pads, spray pads, whirlpools, wading pools and water slides open with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing | Indoor and outdoor pools, splash pads, spray pads, whirlpools, wading pools and water slides open with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing |
Meeting and event spaces | Closed with exceptions for certain purposes including social services, government operations, court services, in-person examinations for select professions (subject to conditions) | Closed with exceptions for certain purposes including social services, government operations, court services, in-person examinations for select professions (subject to conditions) | Outdoor spaces open at 25% capacity and other restrictions Indoor meeting and event spaces closed, with exceptions for certain purposes, and except for viewing for potential booking of a future event | Indoor spaces open with capacity and other restrictions, including for tradeshows, conferences and exhibitions |
Day camps | Closed | Open based on guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health | Open based on guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health | Open based on guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health |
Overnight camps | Closed | Closed | Open based on guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, including epidemiological context and other specific conditions | Open based on guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, including epidemiological context and other specific conditions |
Commercial film/TV production | Open with no audience No more than 50 performers on set Distance or equipment requirements for crew, hair and makeup services, and musicians Must comply with industry guidance Post-production, visual effects, animation studios open | Open with no audience No more than 50 performers on set Distance or equipment requirements for crew, hair and makeup services, and musicians Must comply with industry guidance Post-production, visual effects, animation studios open | Open with no audience Distance or equipment requirements for crew, hair and makeup services, and musicians Must comply with industry guidance Post-production, visual effects, animation studios open | Open with capacity restrictions for studio audiences. Distance or equipment requirements for crew, hair and makeup services, and musicians Must comply with industry guidance Post-production, visual effects, animation studios open |
Performing arts | Closed | Closed | Indoor closed, permitted only for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted event Outdoor open, including live music, with capacity and other restrictions | Indoor open, including live music, with capacity and other restrictions Outdoor open, including live music, with capacity restrictions |
Cinemas | Closed | Drive-in open | Indoor closed Outdoor open with capacity and other restrictions | Indoor open with capacity and other restrictions Outdoor open with capacity and other restrictions |
Casino, bingo halls and gaming establishments | Closed | Closed | Closed | Open with capacity and other restrictions |
Horse Racing | Training only No members of the public permitted at the facility | Outdoor with capacity and crew restrictions No spectators | Open with spectator capacity and other restrictions | Open with spectator capacity and other restrictions |
Motorsports and speedways | Closed | Outdoor with capacity and crew restrictions No spectators | Open with spectator capacity and other restrictions | Open with spectator capacity and other restrictions |
Weddings, funerals and religious services, rites and ceremonies (Does not apply to receptions) | Max 10 persons indoors Max 10 people permitted outdoors | 10 indoors Outdoor permitted with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing | Indoor permitted at 15% capacity Outdoor permitted with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing | Larger indoor services, rites, and ceremonies Outdoor permitted with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing |
Gatherings | Max 5 people for outdoor gatherings | Max 10 people for outdoor gatherings and organized public events Indoor not permitted | Max 25 people for outdoor gatherings and organized public events Max 5 people for indoor gatherings and organized public events with other restrictions | Larger indoor and outdoor gatherings and organized public events with size limits |
Short-term rentals (does not include hotels, motels, lodges, resorts, etc but does apply to cabins and cottages) | Only for people in need of housing | Open | Open | Open |
Public libraries | Curbside pickups for materials Access to computers, photocopiers, and similar services permitted | Curbside pickups for materials Access to computers, photocopiers, and similar services permitted | Open with 25% capacity and other restrictions | Open, with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing and other restrictions |
Museums, Attractions, etc. | Closed Zoos and aquariums open to care for animals | Outdoor zoos, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens, and similar attractions open with reduced capacity and other restrictions (excludes public events) | Outdoor waterparks open with reduced capacity and other restrictions Outdoor amusement parks open with reduced capacity and other restrictions, including on rides | Museums and art galleries open with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing and other restrictions Indoor zoos and aquariums, waterparks, and amusement parks open with capacity restrictions |
Fairs and Rural Exhibitions | Closed | Closed | Outdoor open at reduced capacity and other restrictions | Indoor and outdoor open at reduced capacity and other restrictions |
Tour and Guide Services (e.g., boat tours) | Closed | Closed | Outdoor open with capacity and other restrictions | Indoor open with capacity and other restrictions |
Construction | Open with some limitations to commercial projects | All construction open | All construction open | All construction open |
Driving Instruction and Testing | Not permitted, except for drivers of commercial vehicles | Driving testing permitted with restrictions | Driving testing permitted with restrictions Driving instruction permitted with restrictions | Driving testing permitted with restrictions Driving instruction permitted with restrictions |
Veterinary services | Open | Open | Open | Open |
Pet grooming, animal shelters, stables, pet sitters, pet walkers, pet trainers | Open | Open | Open | Open |
Lawn care and landscaping services | Open | Open | Open | Open |
Ontario Parks and Campgrounds | Ontario Parks open for day use Overnight only open for individuals in need of housing or with full seasonal contracts; only sites with electricity, water and sewage facilities may be provided for use All recreational and shared facilities (e.g. washrooms) are closed | Open | Open | Open |
Marinas / Boating Clubs | Open with limited services including, repairs or servicing of boats, placing boats in water, and enabling individuals’ access to their residence or property Recreational boating permitted but only members of a household can gather on a boat Clubhouse, rec facilities closed; restaurants open for take-out only | Permitted with clubhouses, and other indoor amenities closed | Permitted with clubhouses, and other indoor amenities closed | Open with restrictions. |
Strip clubs | Permitted to operate as a restaurant in alignment with restaurant restrictions | Permitted to operate as a restaurant in alignment with restaurant restrictions | Permitted to operate as a restaurant in alignment with restaurant restrictions | Permitted to operate as a strip club in alignment with restaurant and performance restrictions |
Note: Bolded measures indicate new measures coming into effect as of May 22, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.