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Province Announces Three Step Re-opening Plan

Matthew Sitler
May 20, 2021 | 3:31 PM
Province Announces Three Step Re-opening Plan

Doug Ford speaks at a press conference on April 1.



The Province will reopen with a three-step approach over the coming weeks.

Today Health Minister Christine Elliott outlined how it will happen.

It starts this Saturday, May 22nd with the opening of amenities including, but not limited to, golf courses and driving ranges, soccer and other sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, and skate parks. No outdoor sports or recreational classes are permitted. Outdoor limits for social gatherings and organized public events will be expanded to five people, which will allow these amenities to be used for up to five people, including with members of different households.

All other public health and workplace safety measures under the provincewide emergency brake will remain in effect.

Then, on June 14th, Step 1 of the official Reopening Plan will begin.

“Step 1 of our road map has an initial focus on resuming outdoor activities with smaller crowds, where the risk of transmission is lower, along with permitting retail with restrictions – this includes allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining of up to four people per table and non-essential retail at 15 percent capacity,” said Elliott. “With restrictions in place this would also include outdoor activities such as pools, splash pads, fitness classes, zoos, and religious services.

Step 2 would further expand outdoor activities and resume limited indoor services with small numbers of people and face coverings worn. This includes outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, outdoor sports and leagues, non-essential retail at 25 percent capacity, public libraries, and personal care services where face coverings can be worn and with capacity limits.

Step 3 would expand access to indoor settings with restrictions. including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn. This includes, but is not limited to, gyms, cinemas, performing arts facilities, indoor dining, and museums with capacity limits. As mentioned, any decision will be made with the utmost caution. The Province will remain in each step for at least 21 days.”


If at the end of the 21 days, the following vaccination thresholds have been met, along with positive trends in other key public health and health system indicators, then the province will move to the next step:

  • Step 1: 60 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose.
  • Step 2: 70 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 20 per cent vaccinated with two doses.
  • Step 3: 70 to 80 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 25 per cent vaccinated with two doses.

Based on current trends in key health indicators, including the provincial vaccination rate, the government expects to enter Step One of the Roadmap the week of June 14, 2021. The province will confirm closer to the expected start of Step One.

“While we know that now is not yet the moment to reopen, Ontarians deserve to know the path forward on what we will carefully reopen and when, starting with the settings we know are safest,” said Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Brighter days are ahead and we believe this Roadmap represents a path out of the pandemic and will encourage Ontarians to get vaccinated and to continue following public health advice.”

At this time, publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools in the province will continue to operate under teacher-led remote learning. Data will be assessed on an ongoing basis and medical experts, including the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and other health officials will be consulted to determine if it may be safe to resume in-person learning.

Premier Doug Ford says that collectively, we’ve saved many lives by following public health measures and that moving forward, the daily vaccination rate is the single biggest factor in beating the pandemic.

He says stay vigilant and stay safe and we will get through it by working together.

For more details on the plan, please click here.

 

 

 

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