The Provincial Government announced on July 9, 2021, that thanks to the continued improvement of key public health care indicators and the surpassing of provincewide vaccination rate targets, Ontario will be moving into Step Three of its Roadmap to Reopen, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 16, 2021.
“Like me, I am sure many will feel great relief to see case numbers continuing to improve and vaccine rates continuing to increase,” stated Lord Mayor Disero. “The gradual, cautious approach to recovery is working, and I am thrilled that we are getting closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. I want to remind people to remain vigilant in complying with the restrictions remaining in place. Please, let’s all continue to do our part to protect ourselves and one another so that we can continue this steady progress.”
In order to enter Step Three of the Roadmap, Ontario needed to have vaccinated 70 to 80 per cent of adults with one dose and 25 per cent with two doses for at least two weeks, ensuring a stronger level of protection against COVID-19. An additional requirement before entering Step Three was continued improvement in key public health indicators, including hospitalization, ICU occupancy and weekly case counts.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Ontario’s health care partners, as of July 8, 2021, over 77 per cent of the population in Ontario ages 12 and over have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and over 50 per cent have received their second dose. Additionally, after entering Step Two, the Province reported a provincial case rate decrease of 23.3 per cent. Further decreases were realized in ICU numbers.
Step Three of the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of additional indoor services with larger numbers of people. Various restrictions remain in place. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people with limited exceptions;
- Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people;
- Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing;
- Indoor dining permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect;
- Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to open subject to a maximum 50 per cent capacity of the indoor space. Capacity for indoor spectators is 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less. Capacity for outdoor spectators is 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 15,000 people, whichever is less;
- Indoor meeting and event spaces permitted to operate with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect and capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people, (whichever is less);
- Essential and non-essential retail with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
- Personal care services, including services requiring the removal of a face covering, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
- Museums, galleries, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, landmarks, botanical gardens, science centres, casinos/bingo halls, amusement parks, fairs and rural exhibitions, festivals, with capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity indoors and 75 per cent capacity outdoors;
- Concert venues, cinemas, and theatres permitted to operate at:
- up to 50 per cent capacity indoors or a maximum limit of 1,000 people for seated events (whichever is less)
- up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum limit of 5,000 people for unseated events (whichever is less); and up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum of 15,000 people for events with fixed seating (whichever is less).
- Real estate open houses with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres; and,
- Indoor food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs and restobars, permitted up to 25 per cent capacity or up to a maximum limit of 250 people (whichever is less).
The use of face coverings in indoor public settings and physical distancing requirements remain in place in Step Three. The wearing of face coverings is also required in some outdoor public settings. Please view the regulation for the full list of public health and workplace safety measures that need to be followed.
Step Three is implemented through the enactment of O. Reg. 520/21, which amends O. Reg. 364/20. These documents provide the legislative requirements and responsibilities for individuals and persons responsible for a business or organization.
In conjunction with the transition to Step Three, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre will be reopening its doors beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 16, to allow for public use of the Fitness Area. Although rentals and bookings will not yet be available, plans are underway to consider how to safely allow their resumption. Following its reopening, the Community Centre will operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Hours of operation will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
“We are excited to once again welcome the public back to the Community Centre’s Fitness Area,” stated CAO Marnie Cluckie. “Serving residents amid recovery is of the utmost importance, and Staff remain committed to ensuring our facilities and amenities are clean, safe, and available for use. The health and safety of the public remains our top priority, and we greatly appreciate those who have remained committed to complying with Provincial regulations and Public Health guidelines to keep our community safe.”
The Provincial Government has noted that Ontario will remain in Step Three for at least 21 days and until 80 per cent of the eligible population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 75 per cent has received their second. Additionally, no public health unit can have less than 70 per cent of their population fully vaccinated before the Province progresses past Step Three. Other key public health and health care indicators must also continue to remain stable. When it is determined to be safe, the majority of Public Health and workplace safety measures will be lifted. A small number of measures will remain in place, including the requirement for passive screening and businesses requiring a safety plan.
While the Town’s senior management staff is exploring options to prepare for the safe reopening of Town Hall, Town Administrative Buildings will remain closed to the public until further notice. Town Staff remains available to serve the public online, over the phone, with arranged curbside pick-up, and by appointment. Click here for an outline to obtaining Town services.
Further information and communication will be made available on the Town’s website and social media channels in the coming days, as Town Staff continue to review the implications of the updated Provincial regulations.
For updates regarding the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library’s services in Step Three, please visit notlpubliclibrary.org.
Community members looking to report contraventions of Emergency Orders are asked to email covidcomplaints@notl.com. After-hours complaints or urgent issues can be reported by calling the Niagara Regional Police Service’s non-emergency line at 905-688-4111.
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.
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Media contact:
Lauren Kruitbosch, Community Engagement Coordinator
905-468-3266 | communications@notl.com