List of Ontario Government Covid Health Measures Starting Jan 5 2022

As of January 5, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. the Ontario Government in partnership with Public Health has introduced the following measures that will be in place for at least 21 days (until January 27).

What do Ontario's new restrictions mean for travellers, tourism operators, and your vacation plans in the province? We've got the breakdown here. If you're not sure if your destination is affected, call ahead and ask!

GATHERING LIMITS REDUCED: Your vacation pod is effectively now 5 people indoors or 10 outdoors

Social gathering limits will be reduced to five people indoors and 10 people outdoors.

Organized outdoor events have no limits on the number of attendees, but face coverings and/or masks must be worn when distancing (two metres or more) cannot be maintained

Capacity will be limited at organized public events to five people indoors.

Businesses and organizations will need to ensure employees work remotely unless the nature of their work requires them to be on-site. 

REDUCED CAPACITY LIMITS: Retail shops, weddings, and most spa services will be operating at 50% capacity (But no saunas, sorry)

Capacity at indoor weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites and ceremonies will be limited to 50 percent capacity of a particular room. Outdoor services are limited to the number of people that can maintain two metres of physical distance. Social gatherings associated with these services must adhere to the social gathering limits.

Retail settings, including shopping malls, will be permitted at 50 percent capacity. For shopping malls, physical distancing will be required in line-ups and food courts will be required to close.

Personal care services will be permitted to operate at 50 percent capacity. Saunas, steam rooms, and oxygen bars will be closed.

Public libraries are limited to 50 percent capacity.

CLOSURES: Indoor dining (take out and drive-thru are available), museums, indoor recreational facilities 

Indoor meeting and event spaces are required to close with limited exceptions, but outdoor spaces can remain open with restrictions.

Indoor dining at restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments will no longer be permitted. Outdoor dining with restrictions, takeout, drive-through and delivery is permitted.

Indoor concert venues, theatres, and cinemas will be closed, but rehearsals and recorded performances are permitted with restrictions. 

Museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions, amusement parks and waterparks, tour and guide services and fairs, rural exhibitions, and festivals will all close. Outdoor establishments will be permitted to open with restrictions and with spectator occupancy, where applicable, limited to 50 percent capacity. 

Indoor horse racing tracks, car racing tracks, and other similar venues will close. Outdoor establishments will be permitted to open with restrictions and with spectator occupancy limited to 50 percent capacity. Boat tours will be permitted at 50 percent capacity.

Indoor sport and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms, will be closed, except for athletes training for the Olympics and Paralympics and select professional and elite amateur sports leagues. Outdoor facilities will be permitted to operate but with the number of spectators not to exceed 50 percent occupancy and other requirements.

What's open? Can i still travel within ontario? 

In short: Accommodations are open and outdoor experiences like ice fishing, outdoor skating, winter hiking, camping, snowmobiling, downhill skiing (the hills are open but indoor amenities are not), nordic skiing, and snowshoeing are a great way to get outdoors in the fresh air in the coming weeks.

Visit Algomas Country, Superior Country, Sunset Country, and Northeastern Ontario for more information about travel in your area. 

Is Ontario still open to U.S. Visitors?

Yes. Visit our FAQs about travelling from the U.S. to Ontario here. Note a negative antigen test is now required to return to the U.S. by air. By land, no test is currently required. 

FAQs Vaccine Receipt Info: What is it and where to show it

Here are 4 great ways to support the local businesses, restaurants, and communities that have been affected by the shutdown.

1. Shop local. Check out our gift guide and buy some merch from your favourite Northern Ontario spot. Show your support and look great while doing it!
2. Get takeout from your favorite restaurant. They need our business more than ever right now. 
3. Plan an outdoor adventure to your favourite lodge or campsite, try a winter picnic, skate outdoors under the stars, explore your city, or plan an epic road trip (or snowmobile trip) to some of Ontario's most scenic outdoor spots.
4. Get vaccinated, mask up, and remember to be kind. It's been a long tough road and we're all in this together.  

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