Ontario has announced that it will be reintroducing limits on indoor venues across the province starting this week.
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Just two months after Ontario lifted capacity limits on indoor venues, they’re reintroducing limits again as of Saturday, December 18th. Many venues that have a capacity of over 1,000 will have to operate at just 50 per cent capacity. These venues include sports arenas, theatres, and, of course, concert venues. This means games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Raptors will be limited to 50 per cent capacity.
The limits on indoor venues come in response to the surging COVID-19 cases in the province amidst the spread of the Omicron variant.
BREAKING: Ontario reinstates capacity limits for large sports, entertainment venueshttps://t.co/bhTHp49zau
— CP24 (@CP24) December 15, 2021
At a press conference, Doug Ford highlighted that attendees are seated side-by-side for extended periods of time, and they’re often unmasked.
Other indoor facilities that can hold more than 1,000 people with limits include cinemas, racing venues, museums, galleries, zoos, botanical gardens, casinos, and more.
More on Ontario’s response to surging COVID-19 cases:
Not only is Ontario implementing limits on indoor venues, but they’re also making vaccine booster shots available to more residents. As of Monday, December 20th, anyone 18 or older with two doses of the vaccine will be eligible for a third. Select pharmacies will also be offering boosters for walk-ins as of tomorrow (December 17th).
Ontario has also changed the minimum interval between the second dose and the booster shot. While it used to be six months, you can now get your third shot three months after your second.
To curb the spread of Omicron, COVID-19 rapid tests will be available to the public for free. These will be available at pop-up testing sites and select LCBO locations.
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Proof of vaccination reportedly set to be required at non-essential businesses like restaurants, concerts, movie theatres in Ontario