On Friday, December 17, 2021, the Ontario Government announced it was applying additional public health and workplace safety measures in response to the rapidly spreading and highly transmissible Omicron variant.
The following measures came into effect on 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, December 19, 2021:
50 per cent capacity limit in several indoor public settings, including:
- Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments and strip clubs;
- Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies);
- Tour and guide services;
- Entertainment facilities such as concert venues, theatres and cinemas;
- Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and
- Horse racing venues.
Additional protective measures have also been applied:
- The number of patrons permitted to sit at a table in a restaurant, bar and other food or drink establishment is limited to 10 people and patrons will be required to remain seated.
- The sale of alcohol is restricted after 10 p.m. and consumption of alcohol in businesses or settings after 11 p.m.
- Bars and restaurants and strip clubs that serve food and drink will be required to close by 11 p.m.
- Food and/or drink services will be prohibited at indoor sporting events, concert venues, theatres and cinemas, casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments, and horse racing tracks.
Take out and delivery of alcohol will continue to be permitted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Licensees and operators must follow any additional restrictions enacted by the province, their local Medical Officer of Health or their municipality, and they must continue to meet all other existing legislative and regulatory requirements.
The AGCO has updated its COVID-19 webpage to highlight the public health measures applicable to each of its regulated sectors. Please refer to O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step (O. Reg. 364/20) under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) for detailed requirements.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and how to book a vaccination appointment, please consult the province’s COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario website.