During a press conference this morning, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced the cautious and gradual easing of public health measures sooner than expected, with the next phase of measures being eased beginning on February 17, 2022, at 12:01 a.m.
With positivity rates decreasing and new admissions to hospital and ICU declining, it is assumed that the Omicron peak is behind us. Therefore, the province feels it is safe to move into the next phase of its reopening plan.
“It is reassuring to see improvements in key indicators,” stated Lord Mayor Betty Disero. “Thank you to all residents who did and continue to do their part in minimizing spread. Due to these committed efforts by all, we are moving to the next phase in reopening earlier than expected.”
Effective February 17, 2022, the province will further ease public health measures as follows:
- Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
- Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
- Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
- Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
- Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
- Cinemas
- Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
- Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
- Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements
- Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
- Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
- Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 percent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
- Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony occurs outdoors.
Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.
In addition, as of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, Ontario is expanding booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months (168 days) after a second dose. To book an appointment online, individuals must be 12 years old at the time of appointment.
Effective March 1, 2022, the following additional measures will be eased if public health and health system indicators continue to improve:
- Capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings will be lifted
- Proof of vaccination requirements lifted for all settings
- Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date.
“I am happy to see that our health care indicators show a decrease in the presence of the Omicron variant, and we can continue to move cautiously toward a full reopening while remaining vigilant,” stated CAO Marnie Cluckie. “Thank you to Town Staff who regularly pivot to ensure public safety when provincial announcements are made.”
The Town will provide further communications as more information becomes available from the Province and Niagara Region Public Health.
Visit covid-19.ontario.ca for the most up-to-date information from the Provincial Government.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information about COVID-19 related measures being taken by Niagara-on-the-Lake, please visit notl.com/COVID-19, or call 905-468-3266.
Community members looking to report contraventions of Emergency Orders are asked to email covidcomplaints@notl.com. Urgent issues can be reported by calling the Niagara Regional Police Service’s non-emergency line at 905-688-4111.
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Media Contact:
Marah Minor, Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator
905-468-6458 | communications@notl.com