The Ontario government has announced a new tiered system to evaluate when and to what extent COVID-19 restrictions are placed on regions across the province. Here are some key facts about each level of the system:
Level: Green - Prevent
Criteria include:
-Weekly incidence rate of less than 10 per 100,000 people
-Fewer than one per cent of tests coming back positive
Restrictions include:
-At least two metres of space between tables in restaurants and bars
-Singing and performing allowed in bars and restaurants, as well as karaoke, but with restrictions
-Maximum of 50 people in indoor exercise classes or workout areas
-Retail fitting rooms must be limited to non-adjacent stalls
-Steam rooms and saunas remain closed
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Level: Yellow - Protect
Criteria include:
-Weekly incidence rate between 10 and 39.9 per 100,000 people
-Percentage of tests coming back positive between one and 2.5
-Repeated outbreaks in multiple sectors or increasing number of large outbreaks
Restrictions include:
-All restrictions imposed under green level, plus additional measures
-Bars and restaurants can only stay open until midnight, can only sell or serve alcohol between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
-Volume of music must be limited in bars and restaurants, event spaces and retail locations
-Spacing between patrons in exercise classes or weight rooms must increase to three metres
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Level: Orange - Restrict
Criteria include:
-Weekly incidence rate between 40 and 99.9 per 100,000 people
-Percentage of tests coming back positive between 2.5 and 9.9
-Repeated outbreaks in multiple sectors or increasing number of large outbreaks
Restrictions include:
-All restrictions imposed under yellow level, plus additional measures
-50-person indoor capacity limit for restaurants and bars, with no more than four seated together
-Bars and restaurants must close by 10 p.m.; strip clubs must close altogether
-Fitness facilities must screen patrons and limit the duration of their stay
-No personal care services requiring the removal of face coverings
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Level: Red - Control
Criteria include:
-Weekly incidence rate equal to or greater than 100 per 100,000 people
-Ten per cent or more of tests coming back positive
-Repeated outbreaks in multiple sectors or an increasing number of large outbreaks
Restrictions include:
-All restrictions imposed under orange level, with additional measures
-Maximum indoor capacity of 10 people in restaurants and bars
-No dancing, singing or performing with brass or wind instruments in restaurants and bars
-No more than 10 people allowed inside gyms or exercise classes, and no more than 25 for outdoor classes
-Closure of food courts in malls
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Level: Grey - Lockdown
Criteria include:
-Trends continue to worsen after red level rules imposed
Restrictions include:
-Return to widespread closures as laid out in Stage 1 of Ontario's reopening plan
-Consider declaration of emergency
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Source: Government of Ontario
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2020.
The Canadian Press
