Ontario reveals Step 1 of reopening plan, offers patio dining for four on June 11

Toronto – Based on Ontario’s vaccination rate and continuing improvements in public health and the health-care system, the province will move into Step 1 of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 11.

This step includes the reopening of restaurant outdoor patio dining with seatings of up to four people.

Currently restaurants and bars are open for take-out, drive-through and delivery service only. With Step 1, expected to go into effect June 14 if targets are met, outdoor dining with four people per table and other restrictions will be allowed.

With Step 2, expected to go into effect 21 days after Step 1 if targets are met, outdoor dining with six people per table and other restrictions. Karaoke permitted with restrictions (outdoor).

With Step 3, expected to go into effect 21 days after Step 2 if targets are met, indoor dining with capacity and some other restrictions will be allowed. Outdoor dining with capacity limited to permit two-metre physical distancing. Buffets will be permitted and indoor karaoke will be permitted with restrictions.

“As a result of the strict public health measures we introduced to stop the spread of COVID-19 variants, we are seeing a steady improvement in our situation as ICU and hospital numbers begin to stabilize,” said Premier Doug Ford in a press release. “While we must remain conscious of the continued threat the virus poses, with millions of Ontarians having received at least their first dose of vaccine we can now begin the process of a slow and cautious re-opening of the province in full consultation with our public health professionals.”

The Premier’s office issued a statement that detailed what the Roadmap to Reopen” includes but is not limited to:

• Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people;
• Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
• Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted at up to 15 per cent capacity of the particular room;
• Non-essential retail permitted at 15 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold;
• Essential and other select retail permitted at 25 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold;
• Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households;
• Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training to be permitted with up to 10 people, among other restrictions;
• Day camps for children permitted to operate in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health;
• Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks, and short-term rentals;
• Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open outdoors for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with no more than 10 performers, among other restrictions;