Hamilton is welcoming Stage 3. Here’s what you need to know

What does Stage 3 mean for the Hamilton area? The latest on what's open and what's still closed.

Bars, restaurants, movies and gyms can open on Friday. Masks became mandatory in Hamilton on Monday and now the Hamilton and Burlington area is joining most other regions of Ontario and moving from Stage 2 to 3 of reopening the economy. Ontario started a gradual release of Stage 3 on July 17. Toronto and Peel Region will remain in Stage 2 while the rest of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas will open Friday.

According to Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, physical distancing continues to be required for all people who are not from the same household or social circle. But, indoor and outdoor gathering limits will increase to as many as 50 people indoors and as many as 100 people outdoors.

Here are community events and activities you can expect to be open:

• Hamilton and Burlington's outdoor playgrounds are open. Equipment is not sanitized and if you use it, the city reminds you to use to physically distance.

• Hamilton's water fountains, meant to fill water bottles and dog bowls, are on. Do not drink from these fountains, they are for filling water bottles.

• Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse are open to the public Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Dundurn National Historic Site (including Dundurn Castle, the Hamilton Military Museum, and the Historic Kitchen Garden) and the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology are open. Admission tickets must be obtained online. All other Hamilton civic museums are accepting bookings for events beginning January 2021.

• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

• Movie theatres can open. Cineplex in Stoney Creek and Ancaster remain closed, but are expected to reopen soon.

• Restaurant dining rooms can open.

• Weddings, church services, funerals can expand the number of people gathering.

• Starting in August, Hamiltonians will be able to apply for permits for special events, such as family picnics, at outdoor public spaces like parks and heritage sites.

• Hamilton City Hall is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

• Service Burlington counter at city hall, at 426 Brant St., will be open to the public to offer in-person payments.

In Stage 3 of reopening, know that areas and places that pose a high risk for large crowds, difficult social distancing, and poorly maintained cleaning and sanitation will remain closed. Places you can expect to stay closed are:

• Amusement parks and water parks;

• Buffet restaurants;

• Overnight camp for children;

• Sport with deliberate or prolonged contact;

• Table games at casinos and gaming establishments.

This article will be updated as services become available. COVID-19 remains a deadly disease and we must all be socially responsible to help protect members of the community and our economy.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com