Restrictions stay until vaccination goals are met

Unlikely Ontario will hit targets by next Friday, delaying move to Step 4

Ontario could remain under existing COVID-19 restrictions beyond Aug. 6 to allow more time for the province to reach its vaccination goals — and mask mandates will remain for indoor public spaces, Premier Doug Ford says.

The restrictions will be further loosened “whenever we hit those main targets … probably in a couple of weeks, maybe sooner,” he told reporters at Ontario Place on Friday.

Providing a glimpse of life beyond the current stage of reopening, the government said the “vast majority” of public health measures, including capacity limits, will be lifted once 75 per cent of the population over age 12 has had a second vaccination.

“It is good news that the Ontario government has confirmed that capacity restrictions will be lifted soon, as the province approaches its vaccination thresholds,” said Dan Kelly of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “A 50-percent capacity rule for event venues, gyms (and) arts/recreation facilities makes it impossible for a small (business) to recover.”

At least 70 per cent of those eligible must have had a second dose in each of Ontario’s 34 regional health units before restrictions are further eased. A first-dose target of 80 per cent was achieved this week and the province-wide level for two doses was just over 70 per cent as of Friday morning, five percentage points short of the goal.

“At this stage, it looks unlikely the province will hit its expected vaccination targets by Aug. 6,” acknowledged Kelly, whose organization has been urging the province to speed the pace of reopening.

Ontario’s vaccination pace has trailed off in recent weeks, with about 84,000 shots administered Thursday, the latest full day for which figures were available. That’s down from a record of almost 269,000 on July 8.

“We’re going to hit our targets first and we aren’t going to set a certain date of Aug. 6,” Ford said, referring to the end of the 21-day waiting period after the province entered the third stage of reopening on July 16.

The third-stage changes have included indoor restaurant dining with no capacity limit providing tables are distanced by two metres, gyms and other indoor fitness facilities at 50-percent capacity, and outdoor events of up to 100 people.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said a further reduction in restrictions is also dependent on key public health and health-care indicators, such as hospitalization rates from the more highly contagious Delta variant, remaining stable.

“The exact date will be confirmed as we get closer to achieving the additional vaccine milestones,” she added as the province reported 226 new infections and 11 more deaths.

Friday marked the second day in a row that Ontario reported more than 200 new cases of COVID-19 after being below that level for three weeks, despite vaccination levels increasing daily. The seven-day moving average of new infections has rebounded to 170 from 151 two weeks ago.

“As the Delta variant is the dominant strain in Ontario, which is not the case with some other provinces, face coverings will also continue to be required for indoor public settings,” said Elliott.

She noted that jurisdictions such as Quebec and Israel are doing the same, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has recommended that fully vaccinated people resume wearing masks indoors in areas with high rates of COVID-19 transmission.

Other than indoor masking, “only a small number of measures will remain in place, including the requirement for passive screening, such as posting a sign, and businesses requiring a safety plan,” she said.

With Alberta creating controversy in medical circles by dropping its indoor mask mandate — including in schools — despite an increase in cases, Ford said “that’s up to Premier (Jason) Kenney to decide.

“We’re going to stay vigilant here,” he said. “We’re going to make sure that we continue with the masks.”

Ontario will announce a reopening strategy for schools early next week.