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More changes are already on their way here in Ontario. The premier announced today that capacity limits will now be capped at 50% at all indoor establishments, including restaurants and gyms. This comes just two days after Ontario cut capacity limits in half at venues and events with over 1,000 people.
The move is in response to the increasing case numbers fuelled by the Omicron variant, which Ford called, “the most transmissible variant we’ve seen yet.”
“The decision to limit people’s ability to gather, especially during the holidays, is an extremely, extremely difficult decision to make,” Ford said of the changes.
The lowered capacity limits will go into effect on December 19th, at 12;01 AM, along with reduced gathering sizes from 25 people down to 10 people indoors.
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The businesses affected by the new capacity limits include restaurants, bars, gyms, pharmacies, grocery stores, retail stores, personal care services and shopping malls. Bars, restaurants, and strip clubs will also be required to close at 11 PM (takeout service can remain open longer), with liquor sales ending at 10 PM. No dancing will be allowed, except by performers and workers, and all patrons will have to remain seated at their table which now has a limit of 10 people.
Even more, food and drink offerings will no longer be available at larger venues like theatres, arenas, casinos and other similar spots.
As part of Ontario’s efforts to “protect our progress” in the fight against COVID, booster shots will be made available to everyone in the province over the age of 18 as of this coming Monday, December 20.
Ontarians must wait at least 3 months from the date of their second vaccine dose to be eligible for a booster. Appointments can be made on the Ontario government website.
Ontario has also announced that free rapid antigen tests are now available around the province, although you may have to wait in some pretty long lines to get your hands on one. Some of these locations include LCBOs, holiday markets, malls, and certain transit hubs.
These measures are part of what health experts are calling a “circuit breaker” approach to curbing the rapid increase in cases.
Things sure are changing fast around here, but according to Ford, “we’ll get through this” with the right measures and more needles in arms.
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