Here's What's Included In Step 1 Of Ontario's Reopening Plan, Which Could Start Mid-June

The first step is mainly focused on outdoor activities and retail.

Contributor

On Thursday, May 20, Doug Ford announced a three-step plan for Ontario's reopening. The first step will take place when 60% of Ontarian adults have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Metrics like hospitalization rates and ICU numbers will also be taken into account.

The provincial government predicts that Step One will be able to kick off on the week of June 14. This will follow the reintroduction of outdoor amenities such as golf and basketball that is to take place on May 22.

Courtesy of the Government of Ontario


The first step will bring back outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining for up to four people at each table, and outdoor fitness classes for up to 10 participants.

As for retail, essential stores will be allowed to sell all their goods and welcome customers at a 25% capacity. This includes discount and big box stores. Non-essential retail will be allowed to reopen at a 15% capacity. As for malls, only street-facing stores can reopen.

Other things that can resume include outdoor religious services and ceremonies with a capacity to ensure two meters between each person. Outdoor horse riding, outdoor pools, outdoor zoos, campgrounds and parks are also invited to reopen, among other things.

  • Britanny Burr was a Staff Writer at Narcity Canada, who drove growth within Narcity's Western coverage and readership. Having lived between her hometown, Canmore, Alberta and Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, and NYC over the past 10 years, she is obsessed with finding the best local hot spots. She holds a B.A. in English and has over six years of professional writing experience as Head Writer and Editor for YUL.Buzz in Montreal, and Creative Copywriter at JAKT in NYC. News by day, poetry by night — the written word is Britanny's nearest and dearest.

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