Burlington, Oakville and Milton fully open by August in new three-stage plan
Published May 20, 2021 at 3:57 pm
It’s back to nature for Burlington, Oakville and Brampton residents as Premier Doug Ford is gradually lifting the Ontario-wide ban that has prevented most outdoor group activities.
Ford has just announced that outdoor activities such as golf and tennis will be able to take place just in time for the long weekend. By mid-June Ontario will allow some limited openings for restaurant patios and non-essential shopping.
“While we must remain conscious of the continued threat the virus poses, with millions of Ontarians having received at least their first dose of vaccine we can now begin the process of a slow and cautious re-opening of the province in full consultation with our public health professionals,” Premier Doug Ford said.
The re-openings will be part of a three-step process called “A Roadmap to Re-open” that sets out a plan to slowly open the economy as long as a number of benchmarks are reached such as reduced hospitalizations and increased vaccinations.
The benchmarks will start June 14 and require 60 per cent of adults to be vaccinated with at least one dose. If this is reached it will allow outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, indoor dining of up to four people and non-essential stores to operate at a 15 per cent level.
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Estimated to begin in July, the second stage would require 70 per cent of the population vaccinated and 20 per cent fully vaccinated. If this happens, larger outdoor gatherings of 25 people will be allowed as will religious services, personal care shops and outdoor dining of up to six people. Camps, waterparks and fairs will also be allowed to take place.
The third step would be begin in later July or early August if 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated. This final stage would mean indoor and outdoor gatherings could take place including indoor dining and that all sports activities would be able to resume.
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