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Several Toronto cafes were nearly full on Tuesday morning as Ontario lifted proof-of-vaccination and capacity rules, along with most other COVID-19 public health measures.
Mask mandates remain in place but businesses like gyms, cinemas and restaurants no longer need to check patrons’ vaccination status and remaining capacity limits lifted for venues such as nightclubs, sporting arenas and concert halls. There’s also no longer a limit on the size of social gatherings.
In north Toronto, as residents met up with friends and co-workers to grab a bite, several said they were comfortable with the restrictions lifting.
Toronto resident Dan Cronin said he thinks it’s time for fewer public health measures.
“If you chose not to get the vaccination, you’re taking your own risk,” Cronin said, noting he’s personally “not too concerned” about COVID-19 since he’s been vaccinated and caught the virus before.
Cronin said being able to go to restaurants and bars with 100 per cent capacity is “not a game changer” for him since he’s been frequenting those businesses since they were able to open at 50 per cent capacity in late January.
Restrictions on businesses have been repeatedly introduced and dialled back in the province since early 2020, as the COVID-19 disease curve has risen and fallen at various points.
Most recently, the province introduced a strict period of businesses closures in January as the Omicron variant drove up hospitalizations and strained the health system.
COVID-19 hospitalizations and test positivity rates have fallen sharply since then, though waste water data suggests cases may be starting to rise again.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce commented on the “milestone” in Ontario’s reopening plan on Tuesday by saying the province must use all tools to promote a sustainable and safe reopening and mitigate future problems.
“Our message to Queen’s Park is simple: focus on immediate measures that support business predictability and growth while building capacity within the economy and health care system to withstand future challenges,” Rocco Rossi, chamber president and CEO wrote in a statement.
Premier Doug Ford has said that the vaccine certificate system introduced last year was always intended to be time-limited, and he is only now removing it due to the advice of the chief medical officer of health. He noted Monday, however, that residents should still exercise caution because the pandemic isn’t over.
Venues that still had capacity limits in place, including sports arenas, concert venues, theatres, nightclubs, and restaurants where there is dancing, were able to scrap those restrictions Tuesday.
As well, settings where capacity had been limited to the number of people who could maintain two metres of distance – including weddings and funerals, as well as retail shops, pharmacies and grocery stores – could eliminate that requirement.
A number of businesses, including some restaurants, recreational facilities and museums, said they would maintain their vaccination requirements for now.
All COVID-19 measures except masking are also ending in the provincial legislature, meaning representatives will not be grouped into cohorts and full attendance will be allowed at debates, committees and other legislative matters.
The Opposition NDP, meanwhile, said some measures at the legislature should stay in place because elected members should lead by example and not pretend that the pandemic is over.
Article From: Globe and Mail
Author: THE CANADIAN PRESS
