The Ontario Government Has Banned Singing & Dancing On Patios This Summer

If you were hoping to get your moves on at your next patio visit, you might want to think again. The provincial government has announced that an Ontario patio ban will prohibit guests from singing or dancing while getting a bite to eat. The move is part of multiple rules that will help limit the spread of COVID-19 during the province's reopening. 

According to the Candian Press via Global News, the provincial government has included explicit bans against getting your groove one. 

This is part of the province's plan to reopen restaurants and bar patios, which have been in total lockdown for months.

However, it's not just eateries and your favourite dive that are facing the restrictions.

Child-care centres and places of worship are also being told not to do a dance or sing a little song, at least not until given the green light by Ontario health officials.

The new rules may seem harsh, but according to the provincial ministry of health, these karaoke bans are based on science.

"It's gross to think about, but every time we talk, we're spitting into the world around us," said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease physician in Toronto, according to CP24.

"And if we're singing, shouting, or breathing heavily, we're likely expelling more saliva and nasal secretions ... and if someone's infected, then those secretions will shed more virus," he added.

However, this ban won't last forever, so you don't need to hang up your dancing shoes just yet. 

In fact, health officials may loosen up on these bans once Ontario is further along in its recovery plan and the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to drop. 

"Live music and dancing may be something that we look to revisit once Ontario is further along with easing emergency health and safety measures, but for now, this restriction will not hinder reopening plans," said James Rilett, Restaurants Canada's central region vice-president, per Global News.

However, an Ontario government spokesperson, Emily Hogeveen, told Narcity that live instrumental music could be allowed if proper physical distancing was practiced. 

Premier Doug Ford announced earlier this month that restaurants, bars, and salons would be allowed to reopen in low-risk areas of the province.

However, some areas, including Toronto, were excluded due to their high case numbers.