Durham Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle, has clarified what is open and what is not allowed in Durham under the province’s lifting of public health measures.
“With ongoing improvement of key public health and health system indicators, the province is continuing to gradually ease public health restrictions. Locally, trend data show a steady decrease in daily cases over the past few weeks and eligible residents are continuing to receive their Covid-19 vaccine.” the message states.
Effective February 17, the province lifted public health measures as follows:
- Social gathering limits have increased to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors;
- Organized public events are limited to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors;
- Capacity limits have been removed in many indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required (e.g., restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas, meeting and event spaces, casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments, etc.);
- Fifty per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas, concert venues and theatres is permitted;
- Indoor capacity limits are increased to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required (e.g., nightclubs, bathhouses, etc.);
- Indoor capacity limits are increased for indoor weddings, funerals and religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance; and
- Capacity limits in other indoor public settings is limited to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance (e.g., grocery stores, pharmacies, retail, and shopping malls).
Furthermore, the province will lift additional restrictions effective March 1, including:
- Lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings.
- Lifting proof of vaccination requirements in all settings. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.
Finally, as of now, masking requirements remain in place. The province will communicate a timeline to lift masking requirements at a later date, Dr. Kyle added.