Ontario proceeds with stage 2 reopening except for the GTA

Ontario is proceeding with stage 2 of reopening plans on Friday amid COVID-19, except for the GTA.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford provided an update, Monday morning, regarding more businesses reopening in the province. The list includes restaurant patios, salons, barbers, and more outdoor spaces.

According to Minister Christine Elliot, this only applies to regions that have met the criteria to move into the next stage of the province’s reopening plan.

And that is why Toronto, Lambton, Durham, Peel, York, Halton, Haldimand-Norfolk, Hamilton, Niagara, and Windsor-Essex will remain under stage one. The following regions are expected to move towards stage 2 after a few more weeks.

Check out the full list of services and businesses allowed to reopen in Stage 2.

Also effective on Friday, regardless of whether a region has moved to stage 2 or not, is the increase in the limit on social gatherings to 10 people. Places of worship in Ontario are permitted to reopen as well but with physical distancing in place – meaning no more than 30 percent of the building capacity.

Decisions on reopening plans are made in consultation with health officials including Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams.