Proof of vaccination, capacity limits end Tuesday — here’s what that means in Hamilton
Life in Hamilton will look a little bit more like the before-times' come Tuesday.
Earlier this month, the province announced that it would be ending its proof of vaccination program on March 1 - just 160 days after the pandemic mandate was rolled out across Ontario this past September.
As I've said from the very beginning, the extraordinary measures that we introduced during this pandemic were always intended as a last resort," said Premier Doug Ford during the Feb. 14 announcement at Queen's Park.
The removal of these measures has always been our objective and something we have collectively worked towards for months now," he added.
Some pandemic measures had been loosened just days after the announcement, including capacity restrictions that had been imposed on restaurants, gyms, bars and other places that required proof of vaccination.
Travel restrictions are also set to loosen on Monday, but some procedures will remain for now.
Here's what you need to know and what the latest changes mean for Hamiltonians.
Life
I'm unvaccinated. Where can I go now?
Unvaccinated residents will now be able to do things like eat indoors, hit the gym, take part in indoor meetings, go to the movies, play the slots at the casino and attend wedding receptions.
Will some businesses still require proof of vaccination?
Ontario's reopening plan does allow businesses to continue requiring proof of vaccination, so call ahead. A handful of Hamilton businesses told The Spectator they would stop asking for proof of vaccination as of March 1.
What capacity limits will be lifted?
Capacity limits at sports arenas, concert venues, theatres, nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing as well as bathhouses and sex clubs will be lifted.
Social gathering limits will also be increased to 50 indoors with no limits on outdoor gatherings.
When will masks go away?
Dr. Kieran Moore, the province's chief medical officer of health, said masking rules could be relaxed down the road, but will depend on hospitalizations as well as the availability of PCR testing.
Dr. Peter Juni, the scientific director of Ontario's science table previously said masking should remain in place until the weather is really good."
Travel
What are the new rules in Canada?
Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a molecular COVID-19 test to enter Canada starting Feb. 28, and can instead opt for a rapid test. The rapid tests would have to be administered by a laboratory, health care or telehealth provider, according to the federal government.
Some fully vaccinated travellers might still be randomly selected for a molecular test at the airport, but they will not need to quarantine while they wait for the result.
To make travel easier for families, unvaccinated children under the age of 12 who are travelling with vaccinated adults will no longer have to isolate for 14 days after they arrive in Canada either.
Unvaccinated Canadians can take a rapid test before they board the plane, but will need to take a molecular test on arrival and again eight days after arrival, and isolate for 14 days.
With files from the Toronto Star and the Canadian Press
Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com