Ontario Is Going To Let More People Go To Weddings & Funerals Starting Immediately

More Ontarians will get the chance to say "I do" or bid farewell to a loved one starting right now. Ontario weddings and funerals are now allowed to have up to 50 people attend them. The receptions are another story, though.

In a June 13 news release, the Ontario Ministry of Health announced that it would be easing restrictions on these two particular events.

Wedding and funeral ceremonies held indoors will be allowed to have 30 percent of the venue's maximum occupancy as long as people can stay 6 feet apart. Outdoors they can have up to 50 people.

What happens after the ceremonies is a different situation, though. The 10-person maximum rule remains in place for receptions, regardless of whether they are inside or outside.

The Ministry of Health also still recommends distancing from people during the ceremonies, aside from the people in your social circle.

The decision was made in regard to what the ministry reports are "positive public health trends."

"We have taken deliberate steps to increase testing and increase our ability to track and contain this virus," Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott said in a statement.

"As we loosen these measures, I strongly urge everyone to remain careful and cautious as we are all still at risk."

The call to expand the number of guests for wedding and funeral ceremonies follows a major announcement regarding social circles in the province.

The government is now saying that people can establish a group of ten people that they are allowed to have full contact with.

Ontario continues to see progress in its COVID-19 case numbers, with fewer than 200 being reported on June 12, the lowest number since March 28.

The province also continues to work toward fully reopening. However, the GTA is still delaying its opening of restaurants and salons for now.