Premier Doug Ford says the province is ending its COVID-19 vaccine passport system starting on March 1. However, the mask mandate will remain in place.
“Ontario will also lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination,” the government said.
A firm date for lifting the use of masks or face coverings was not set.
“Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date,” the government said.
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Capacity limits in all indoor public settings will also be eliminated.
Ford made the announcement on Monday morning alongside health minister Christine Elliott and Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore.
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In addition, the next phase of Ontario’s three-phased approach to reopening the economy has been accelerated to Thursday, Feb. 17 — up from the previous date of Feb. 21.
These measures will take effect on Feb. 17 at 12:01 a.m.:
- Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
- Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
- Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including:
Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;
Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;
Cinemas;
Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres;
Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments;
Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements. - Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
- Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
- Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
- Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain 2 m physical distance
- Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors
As well, capacity limits in indoor public settings such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls will be at the number of people who can maintain two metres of physical distancing.
Booster dose eligibility is also being expanded to youth aged 12 to 17 starting on Friday, Feb. 18 at 8 a.m.
“Given how well Ontario has done in the Omicron wave we are able to fast track our reopening plan,” Ford said. “This is great news and a sign of just how far we’ve come together in our fight against the virus. While we aren’t out of the woods just yet we are moving in the right direction.
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