Ontario lifts capacity limits for outdoor organized public events

Ontario has lifted all capacity limits for outdoor organized public events, including memorial services and parades.

Capacity limits have also been removed for outdoor areas such as fairs, rural exhibitions and festivals.

The order from the Ford government says if physical distancing is not possible, then masks must still be worn. Outdoor social gatherings will still be limited to 100 people.

The amendments were approved on Wednesday and the changes are effective immediately.

It means some upcoming local events will be able to return to normal.

Mayor John Tory says the changes come too late to save Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade but a modified Cavalcade of Lights should be back next month.

“We are starting with our Remembrance Day ceremony, which will be done in person and public,” says Tory. “We are then looking at ways we can do our Christmas tree lighting.”

Outdoor capacity limits for restaurants, bars and nightclubs will remain in effect. Proof of vaccination is still required at outdoor settings where the capacity is 20,000 people or more.

The move from the province will also remove outdoor capacity limits for other sectors where they remain. The loosened restrictions apply, but are not limited to, outdoor areas of:

• Fairs
• Rural exhibitions
• Festivals
• Ski hills
• Museums
• Aquariums
• Zoos
• Science centres

Indoor capacity limits are also increasing for banquet halls and conference centres — now allowed to have up to 50 per cent capacity or 10,000 people, whichever is less.

Some cities, including Toronto, have already opted not to do a traditional Santa Claus parade with crowds this year. Other cities may still be able to pull of their version with new capacity rules in place.

Brampton mayor Patrick Brown said Wednesday that he’s received several complaints that the city’s Santa Claus Parade will be held virtually for a second straight year. He believes the time has come to reward those who have been following public health protocols throughout the pandemic.

“If you can have 20,000 people indoors at a Maple Leafs game or a Raptors game, there’s no reason we can’t have these family-oriented civic events again,” said Brown.

Last week, the province released a plan to gradually reopen Ontario for the long-term, outlining a gradual approach to lift remaining pandemic restrictions. At that time, they announced an intention to increase capacity at outdoor organized events.

Capacity limits were lifted on Monday for restaurants and bars in Ontario, including some other settings where proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required.

The province announced Friday that it intends to lift all public health and workplace safety measures by March 28, 2022. However, the full reopening would be gradual and come in several stages.

By Nov. 15, the province plans to lift capacity limits in food or drink establishments with dance facilities — such as night clubs and wedding receptions in meeting/event spaces where there is dancing — strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.

Starting in January, the province plans to begin gradually lifting capacity limits in settings where proof of vaccination is not required.

On March 28, all remaining public health and workplace safety measures could be lifted, and masks may no longer be required.