Ontario lifts proof of vaccine requirements, remaining capacity limits
Posted March 1, 2022 7:33 am.
Last Updated June 27, 2022 4:20 pm.
Ontario is ending most of its major COVID-19 public health measures on Tuesday, including the vaccine passport requirement.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required at most Ontario restaurants, gyms and movie theatres and remaining capacity limits for nightclubs and larger spectator venues are also being lifted.
Restrictions on indoor and outdoor social gatherings have also come to an end.
“Be cautious, we aren’t through this yet,” Premier Doug Ford said on Monday. “We see light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter everyday.”
Related: Canada eases international travel restrictions for fully vaccinated
Businesses may continue to require proof of vaccine if they choose to do so. A number of GTA businesses have already confirmed they will continue to check for vaccine status and some will be keep capacity limits in place for the time being.
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment confirmed earlier this month they will be following provincial guidance and discontinuing proof of vaccination requirements. Scotiabank Arena will return to full capacity in time for a Toronto Raptors home game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.
Cineplex has also confirmed moviegoers will no longer have to provide a vaccine certificate as of March 1.
Ford hints towards lifting mask mandates in March
Ford has said masks will likely be in place in Ontario for at least a couple more weeks. He said on Monday he is waiting for the chief medical officer’s approval to lift the mask mandate.
“I’m hearing over the next few weeks, maybe after March break when the kids get back,” said Ford. “I don’t want to set a date.”
The Ford government announced the accelerated reopening and end to vaccine passport requirements in mid-February citing improving COVID indicators and the province’s vaccination rate as reasons to rolls back restrictions.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the province hit its lowest point since the start of the Omicron wave on Sunday with 842 hospitalizations reported. It marked the first time that number fell below 1,000 since December.
The number of COVID-19 patients in the ICU now sits at 279 and there are 171 ICU patients on a ventilator.
As of Monday, 92.6 per cent of Ontarians 12 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 90.5 have received two doses.
