Hamilton, Halton, Niagara and Haldimand-Norfolk to move into Stage 3 on Friday

Hamilton, Halton, Niagara and Haldimand-Norfolk are among seven regions moving into Stage 3 on Friday.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Those regions, along with Durham, Sarnia-Lambton and York Region, will be able to enter Stage 3 at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Toronto, Peel, and Windsor-Essex will not move ahead.

Those three regions led the province in new COVID-19 cases on Monday.

In Stage 3, restaurants can resume indoor service, as long as tables are spaced two-metres apart to encourage physical distancing.

Gyms, movie theatres and casinos are also permitted to reopen, along with outdoor playgrounds and play structures.

Indoor gatherings of up to 50 people can be held, while outdoor gatherings can include as many as 100 people.

This is as long as physical distancing measures are in place.

People are still being asked to keep people in their social circles to 10 people.

A social circle is a group of the same 10 people who can interact without physical distancing.

Health officials say the following places are not yet safe to open:

• Amusement parks and water parks
• Buffet-style food services
• Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment
following specific requirements
• Overnight stays at camps for children
• Private karaoke rooms
• Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports
• Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars
• Table games at casinos and gaming establishments