Here's Everything You Need To Know If You Are Currently In Ontario's Orange Zone

Restaurants, hair salons and shops are open.
Ontario Editor

As of Tuesday, most of Ontario has moved into the COVID-19 Response Framework. 

With the exception of Toronto, York, Peel, and North Bay, regions have now moved into the colour zones, including Ontario's orange zone

If you are now in "orange restrict," here's everything you need to know. 

Editor's Choice: Here's Everything You Need To Know If You Are Currently In Ontario's Red Zone

Who is currently in the orange zone?

As of Tuesday, February 16, nine regions are currently in Ontario's orange zone. 

Those in this zone are listed below: 

  • Brant County Health Unit 
  • Eastern Ontario Health Unit 
  • Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit  
  • Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit 
  • Huron Perth Public Health
  • Lambton Public Health
  • Ottawa Public Health
  • Porcupine Health Unit
  • Public Health Sudbury and Districts

However, it is worth noting that the government will reevaluate which regions should be in which colour zone every two weeks. 

What can you do in the orange zone?

Those in the orange zone will see a lot of businesses opening their doors. 

According to the government's framework, restaurants and bars are allowed to open for indoor dining. 

However, only 50 people can be seated at a time and the establishments can only serve alcohol until 9 p.m. and must close by 10 p.m. 

Gyms are also allowed to resume operations, with a 50 person limit for indoor areas. 

Most personal services, including hair salons, can also welcome back guests. 

On top of this, casinos, cinemas, performance art venues and retail stores are also allowed to open with certain capacity limits.  

What is closed in the orange zone?

While businesses are opening across Ontario, the government still warns that you should be staying home as much as possible. 

Residents in all zones should also be keeping their social circles to only those in their households. 

On top of this, those in the orange zone will see oxygen bars, steam rooms, saunas, bathhouses and other adult venues shuttered. 

Personal services that require the removal of face masks will also not be allowed to operate. 

For restaurants, buffets are currently not allowed. Live performances such as dancing and singing are also prohibited in these venues. 

  • Allysha Howse was the Ontario Editor for Narcity Canada. Based in Toronto with seven years of experience as a leading journalist, she has been able to bring breaking news to readers across the country. Over the past year, she has been able to help Narcity reach record-breaking growth and bring original Ontario-focused stories to the fingertips of millennials. Allysha specialized in Books and Media Studies at the University of Toronto and has publications in Snapd Media.

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