Ontario Enters Step One of COVID-19 Reopening Plan

COVID-19 restrictions have loosened across the province.

Ontario's officially entered Step One of the government's three-step reopening plan, allowing outdoor social gatherings of up to ten people, indoor religious services - including wedding and funerals - at 15% capacity, and outdoor services limited only by the number who can maintain physical distance of two metres.

"Non-essential" retail's now allowed to open to 15% capacity and "essential" retail up to 25% - with no restrictions on goods sold - while outdoor dining can include up to four people per table, outdoor fitness classes can have up to ten people, and the government's allowing day camps for children, overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites - as well as short-term rentals - and the reopening of outdoor attractions like zoos, landmarks, and historic sites, with capacity and other restrictions.

The government's roadmap says the province must spend at least 21 days in Step One before it can move into Step Two - which would be July 2nd, at earliest - though the government notes at least 20% of adults must have received two doses of a vaccine before that happens.

The province has been reporting its lowest case counts since the fall, with 590 cases reported Thursday, bringing the seven-day average down to 617, the lowest mark since October 7th.