The Ontario government announced the lifting of capacity limits for certain locations in the province, however, restaurants and gyms remain left off the list.
Cinemas, theatres, spectator sports venues, concert venues, meeting and event spaces, horseracing and car racing tracks are the venues permitted to open to 100 per cent capacity as of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.
The government said it’s making the changes based on high vaccination levels, stable public health indicators and the vaccine certificate requirements that took effect last month.
“As we continue to see more Ontarians roll up their sleeves with over 22-million doses administered, our government is cautiously lifting capacity limits in select settings where we know proof of vaccination requirements are providing an added layer of protection to Ontarians,” said Minster of Health Christine Elliott in a release Friday.
While the capacity limits are lifted, health officials are still urging venues and locations to maintain safety measures including face coverings, screening and contact tracing.
Proof of vaccination is still required for outdoor setting where normal capacity is maximum 20,000 or more.
Read more:
Mandatory vaccination for indoor organized sports in those aged 12 and up: Toronto Public Health
Ontario’s proof of vaccination certificate went into effect on Sept. 22.
As of 8 p.m. on Thursday, more than 10.6 million people are fully immunized with two doses, which is 82 per cent of the eligible (12 and older) population. First dose coverage stands at 86.8 per cent.
“… We are overjoyed to see this day arrive when we are able to welcome a full venue to cheer on the Maple Leafs and Raptors,” said Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment in a release shortly after the announcement.
© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
