Ontario reintroducing capacity limits for restaurants, retailers & social gatherings to help slow the spread of omicron

Ontario is reintroducing capacity limits at restaurants, bars and retailers, and capping indoor social gatherings at 10 people in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

The new rules come into effect first thing Sunday morning. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments, strip clubs, personal care services, personal physical fitness trainers,
retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies),shopping malls, non-spectator areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, indoor recreational amenities, indoor clubhouses, tour and guide services, photography studios, marinas and boating clubs will be limited to 50 per cent capacity.

The province is also limiting outdoor gatherings to 25, and prohibiting food and drink consumption at sports arenas, concert, theatres, casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments. Bars, restaurants, event spaces and strip clubs will be required to close by 11 p.m.

The new rules do not apply to facilities hosting weddings, funerals or religious services.

Premier Doug Ford is making the announcement a day after the province’s science advisers said a ramped-up booster campaign wouldn’t be enough to blunt the effects of the new COVID-19 variant.

Watch the full announcement here: