Ontario’s Stage 2 Reopenings Also Include Public Pools, Wine Tours, & Drive-Ins (VIDEO)

Get your sunscreen out because stage two of Ontario's reopening plan includes more outdoor activities just in time for summer. Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on June 8 and there are a lot of places reopening in the province this weekend. If you're in certain areas, you can now splash around in outdoor pools, take a wine tour, and attend drive-thru events.

As Ontario was reporting its lowest-single day jump in COVID-19 cases since March, staff were unveiling more lifted restrictions on Monday.

Ford announced that some hair salons and restaurants offering outdoor services like patios across the province will be reopening on Friday, except for the densely-populated GTHA region.

Also on the long list of things that will reopen are bus and boat tours and wine and beer tasting tours.

You can also finally add public pools back to your plans now, including splash pads and wading pools.

Also, the remaining beaches and Ontario Parks camping grounds will be reopened, and you'll now have a bunch of fun drive-in options like theatres, concerts and even animal attractions.

To take advantage of all this stuff, though, you'll have to be sure to practice social distancing and follow the regulations that are in place.

"As a result of efforts of all Ontarians to stop the spread of COVID-19, many regions have met the criteria to move into the next stage of our reopening plan, including a decrease in new daily cases and sufficient hospital capacity in the event of any spikes in cases or outbreaks," said Minister Christine Elliott via a news release.

This is in keeping with the provincial framework for reopening Ontario that was outlined back in early April.

For people living in Toronto, Lambton, Durham, Halton, Peel, York, Haldimand-Norfolk, Hamilton, Niagara, and Windsor-Essex, though, there'll be a longer wait. These population hubs remain in stage one.

So, while Toronto Mayor John Tory has already suggested that Toronto restaurants start getting ready to open, it doesn't seem like that'll be needed any time soon.

However, although Toronto public pools don't seem to be opening any time soon, the Toronto Zoo has already stepped ahead of the game.

The Zoo has been offering its drive-thru experience for a few weeks now for those visitors who missed seeing some friendly furry faces.

And, outside of those stage-one areas, you can also meet in bigger groups now, as long as you follow health advice

The provincial gathering limit has been increased from five to 10 people starting Friday, June 12.

*This cover photo was used for illustrative purposes only.