Ontario poised to begin reopening the economy Friday

Ontario is poised to begin reopening the economy starting Friday.

That's three days earlier than planned thanks to soaring vaccinations that have topped 10 million doses and a steady decline in case counts to 525 new infections Monday, the lowest since late September. There were 15 more deaths, bringing the total to 8,869 since March 2020.

As part of a three-stage plan unveiled last month, Premier Doug Ford's government will allow restaurant patios to reopen with a maximum of four patrons per table and non-essential retailers to welcome customers back in their stores at 15 per cent capacity.

Ontario businesses have been locked down since mid-April to quell a third wave and hotspots like Toronto and Peel have been under heavy public health restrictions since late November.

Health Minister Christine Elliott told Colin D'Mello of CTV News Monday that things are looking good.

We're still looking at the numbers and the numbers are looking quite favourable."

A Friday reopening clears the way for an earlier move to stage two of easing pandemic restrictions on July 2, with hair cuts and other personal care services back on.

Ford said last week he was cautiously optimistic" the province would be able to open earlier than planned, with Elliott suggesting that it could be by a few days."

Chief medical officer Dr. David Williams had set a target of 550 to 600 new daily infections on a consistent basis for going ahead. Officials also consider other factors such has test positivity rates, hospital and intensive care unit occupancy.

Rob Ferguson is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @robferguson1

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie