Toronto and Peel Region are joining York Region, and 30 other public health regions, in stage 3 of Ontario's pandemic reopening framework on Friday, July 31.
Premier Doug Ford announced this morning that additional businesses and public spaces are permitted to reopen as a result of positive local trends of key public health indicators, including lower transmission of COVID-19, hospital capacity, public health capacity to conduct rapid case and contact management, and a significant increase in testing.
Windsor-Essex County, which has been battling outbreaks of farm workers, will remain in stage 2.
York Region moved to stage 3 last Friday, July 24.
"While more restaurants, theatres and businesses can hang up their open for business sign, we're asking everyone to follow public health advice and act responsibly," said Ford in a news release. "We have made tremendous progress that allows us to return to something a little closer to our normal lives this summer, but we are not out of the woods yet. This virus is still among us and we have to be extra cautious to avoid sparking a surge or an outbreak. I strongly urge everyone to continue following public health protocols."
The province supports proposals made by the City of Toronto and Toronto Public Health relating to restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments that are permitted to be open.
For more information on the restrictions that will remain in place during stage 3, as well as the public health and workplace safety restrictions necessary to keep people safe, visit Ontario.ca/reopen.
Ontario's chief medical officer of health and public health experts also continue to closely monitor the evolving situation to advise when public health restrictions can be further loosened or if they need to be tightened.
