Here's Everything You Need To Know If You Are Currently In Ontario's Red Zone
As of Tuesday, 27 public health regions have moved into the COVID-19 Response Framework.
This means that multiple regions have now entered different coloured zones, including Ontario's red zone.
If you are now in red control, here is everything that you need to know.
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Who is currently in the red zone?
As of Tuesday, February 16, 2021, there are a total of 11 public health units in the red zone.
The regions that are now in the red are as follows:
- Chatham-Kent Public Health
- City of Hamilton Public Health Services
- Durham Region Health Department
- Halton Region Public Health
- Middlesex-London Health Unit
- Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
- Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit
- Southwestern Public Health
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit
- Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Public Health
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
However, the government states that every two weeks they will be evaluating each region.
Through this evaluation, they will determine if more regions need to enter this zone or if some regions can leave it.
What can you do in the red zone?
Residents entering the red zone will have a lot more to do than they could in the lockdown.
For starters, restaurants and bars will now be open for indoor dining. However, capacity restrictions remain tight with only 10 people permitted indoors at a time.
Establishments must also stop serving alcohol by 9:00 p.m. and be closed by 10:00 p.m.
Gyms and fitness centres are open as well, but face similar restrictions with just 10 people allowed in areas with weights or exercise equipment.
Non-essential retailers including big box stores can operate at 50% capacity.
Casinos and some personal services, such as salons are also allowed to open in this zone.
What is still closed in the red zone?
It's worth noting that while things are starting to open, the government still warns that residents should be staying home when possible.
When it comes to your social circle, you should also still keep it in your household.
In the red zone, cinemas will remain closed. However, drive-in theatres are still permitted to be open.
Personal care services that require you to take off a face mask will also not be allowed to operate.
Saunas, steam rooms, bathhouses and "other adult venues" are still closed.
Performance arts venues will also be closed unless it is a drive-thru.