Ontario reopening: What's open and what's closed in Stage 2
Seven new regions have moved into Stage 2 of reopening on Friday, June 19, joining 24 other public health units who already made the move a week earlier.
The newly opened regions include:
Durham Region Health Department
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
Halton Region Health Department
Hamilton Public Health Services
Lambton Health Unit
Niagara Region Public Health Department
York Region Public Health Services
It will allow services such as restaurants, hair salons and shopping malls to reopen throughout the majority of the province.
People in Toronto, Peel and Windsor-Essex will remain in Stage 1 for the time being. Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott said the numbers of cases in these regions are higher than health officials would like, but they are “very close.”
Although some of these regions still in Stage 1 are quite close to other areas moving into Stage 2, the premier and health officials did not express particular concern about travel between these areas, saying the remaining regions should be moving into the next stage soon.
The limit on social gatherings has been expanded from five to 10 people for all regions, both inside and outside, with the two-metre physical distancing rule still in place.
The following businesses and services are permitted to reopen in Stage 2:
Outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties
Select personal services and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons
Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for take-out and outdoor dining only
Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries
Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools
Beach access and additional camping at Ontario Parks
Camping at private campgrounds
Outdoor-only recreational facilities and training for outdoor team sports, with limits to enable physical distancing
Drive-in and drive-through venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations
Film and television production activities, with limits to enable physical distancing
Weddings and funerals, with limits on social gatherings to 10 people
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Premier Ford said there will be no travel restrictions in place across the province, including travel to camp grounds and cottage country.
Elliott said the province will provide a progress report every Monday on the public health units remaining in the first stage.
“Please be patient, we’re going to get there very, very soon,” Ford said.
