Province Preparing to End Proof of Vaccine Requirement

Doug Ford says masking mandates will continue for now

During a media conference this morning, Premier Ford says starting February 17th the province will ease public health restrictions. The changes are listed below. 

• 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 per cent 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 per cent 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 is occurring outdoors.

Capacity limits at other indoor public settings like grocery stores, pharmacies, retail stores and shopping malls will be the amount of people who can maintain a physical distance of two metres. 

As well, youth aged 12 - 17 will be able to book a booster shot starting Friday at 8:00 a.m.

Starting March 1st, the Premier says all capacity limits will come to an end, along with proof of vaccine requirements but masking mandates will continue for a while longer.