Ontario’s new restrictions in effect: Full list of new rules

Ontario’s latest round of public health measures aimed to flatten the spread of COVID-19 Omicron cases went into effect at midnight.

The new restrictions were announced by the Ford government on Friday and lower capacity limits at most indoor settings and reduce social gathering limits.

List of health measures in effect as of 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19:

• Social gathering limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
• 50 per cent capacity limits in most indoor settings (full list below), businesses or places that are being used for a wedding, funeral or a religious service, rite, or ceremony are exempt
• Businesses or facilities need to post a sign stating the capacity limits that are permitted in the establishment
• Patrons permitted to sit at a table in a restaurant, bar and other food or drink establishment and meeting and event space will be limited to 10 people, patrons will be required to remain seated
• Patrons must remain seated at concerts venues, theatres and cinemas
• Bars and restaurants and meeting and event spaces and strip clubs that serve food and drink like a restaurant will be required to close by 11 p.m., take out and delivery will be permitted beyond 11 p.m.
• Singing and dancing in restaurants and bars and other select settings will not be allowed except for workers or performers
• Food and/or drink services will be prohibited at indoor sporting events; concert venues, theatres and cinemas; casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments; and horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues
• The sale of alcohol will be restricted after 10 p.m. and consumption of alcohol in businesses or settings after 11 p.m.

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Related: Inspection blitz of Ontario businesses begins as new restrictions take effect

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Indoor settings reduced to 50 per cent capacity

• Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments and 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 (e.g. gyms)
• Indoor recreational amenities
• Indoor clubhouses at outdoor recreational amenities
• Tour and guide services
• Photography studios and services
• Marinas and boating clubs
• Facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities
• Entertainment facilities such as concert venues, theatres and cinemas
• Racing venues
• Meeting and event spaces
• Studio audiences in commercial film and television production
• Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions
• Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
• Fairs, rural exhibitions, and festivals

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The measures come as cases have been rising rapidly, with the seven-day average of new daily diagnoses surpassing 2,000 for the first time since May.

The province has also ramped up its COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign, and is due to expand eligibility to all adults starting Monday, provided it’s been at least three months since they received their second dose.

Provincial health officials say the Omicron variant is so contagious it threatens to overwhelm the health-care system.

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report