Ontario’s interprovincial border restrictions with Quebec, Manitoba expire
Posted June 16, 2021 7:08 am.
Last Updated June 16, 2021 8:16 am.
Ontario’s interprovincial borders with Quebec and Manitoba have now fully reopened.
The restrictions limiting non-essential interprovincial travel at the land and water borders expired at midnight and opened Wednesday morning.
Travel between the regions was limited to essential reasons such as health care services, work and custody or compassionate grounds like attending a funeral. The restrictions also allowed law enforcement to stop and question people about their reasons for entering Ontario.
The Ford government announced the restrictions would lift earlier this week and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said those entering Ontario must “continue to follow the public health measures in place in the province.”
The border rules were put in place on April 16 when Ontario was in the midst of its battle with the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The province last extended the ban on May 29.
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Quebec’s government further relaxed restrictions in Gatineau and western Quebec on Monday, allowing for indoor gatherings and bars to reopen.
The province is also changing its COVID-19 restrictions to allow bars to stay open later as the Montreal Canadiens began a playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights this week that will see some games start at 9 p.m.
Quebec’s health department says bars will be able to serve alcohol until midnight and stay open until 2 a.m. All patrons were previously required to leave establishments before midnight which would mean people would have to leave a close game in the middle of the third period.
The province has also considering increased the capacity at Canadiens home games at the Bell Centre to 3,500.
Quebec reported 105 new cases on Tuesday, the smallest increase in new infections since August.
Cases have also dropped in Manitoba as the province also eases certain restrictions. As of Saturday, up to five people can gather outside on public property and up to five visitors from no more than two different households can meet outdoors on private property.
Similar to Ontario’s reopening plan, Manitoba’s government said recently additional restrictions could be eased by July 1 if a 70 per cent vaccination threshold is met.
