COVID-19 restrictions set to loosen in Ontario starting Monday

Some business owners are getting ready to welcome back customers once again as COVID-19 restrictions are set to loosen in Ontario Monday. Gyms, restaurants, casinos, and movie theatres will be able to reopen at 50 percent capacity as of 12:01 am Monday.

These businesses have been closed for the last three weeks with the exception of takeout at restaurants. Dave Fauteux who owns Bon Temps restaurant on Young Street in Hamilton says it wasn’t even feasible to stay open for take-out this time around but is already feeling the love from customers who want to get back to support small businesses. “With Valentines Day coming up I’ve been taking calls and emails just booking people in for reservations. It’s looking good, it’s looking like people are coming back.”

Anytime Fitness in Stoney Creek, like some other gyms in our area was able to stay open for members who had a doctor’s note. The owner says that helped people who need the gym for medical reasons, and it helped employees too. Fitness club owners here in Hamilton say gyms are so important for the physical and mental wellbeing of many people.

Also as of tomorrow, social gathering limits will increase to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Proof of vaccination will continue to apply to the same settings as before and a QR code will be required. The province is planning to have all capacity limits lifted in public settings by March 14th.