Reopening Ontario: What You Need to Know About Stage 2

There is no one who wants to get Ontario’s economy going more than me, and over the past few weeks, we’ve been working toward a gradual, safe, and responsible reopening of our province based on the best medical advice available and the input of our business community. 

We recognize the situation varies across different parts of Ontario. As public health metrics improve in certain regions, we’re able to make informed decisions to get more people back to work safely. At the same time, we want to keep working together to flatten the curve in every region so ALL of Ontario is able to move to the next stage of reopening as soon as possible. 

To help businesses plan ahead and prepare, we announced details on May 14 about our plan to reopen the province. 

Every Monday, we will be providing a progress update on the regions still in Stage 1. If public health indicators, such as rate of infection and hospital capacity, improve at a local level, regions will be given the green light to enter Stage 2 that Friday. 

We’ll continue to keep Ontario businesses and families informed over the coming weeks to ensure you have all the information you need to get back to work safely. 

What’s Included in Stage 2? 

The following businesses and services would be permitted to reopen with public health and safety restrictions when their region enters Stage 2. Please note businesses in Stage 2 regions should only reopen if they feel they are ready. 

• Outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties; 
• Select personal and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons; 
• Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for take-out and outdoor dining only; 
• Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries; 
• Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools; 
• Beach access and additional camping at Ontario Parks; 
• Camping at private campgrounds; 
• Outdoor-only recreational facilities and training for outdoor team sports, with limits to enable physical distancing; 
• Drive-in and drive-through venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations; 
• Film and television production activities, with limits to enable physical distancing; and 
• Weddings and funerals, with limits on social gatherings to 10 people. 

You can find more details on the businesses and services across the province reopening as part of Stage 1 here. 

More information on workplace safety guidance for these businesses and workplaces is available here. 

Regional Reopening 

Today, Friday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m., regions in the province where public health data shows it’s safe to do so will be permitted to move into Stage 2. 

You can find public health unit regions allowed to move into Stage 2 on Friday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. here.

Given the recent trends in public health, we are hopeful that all regions will move forward to Stage 2 soon. 

Child Care and Summer Day Camps 

To give employers and parents the necessary confidence to reopen their businesses and return to work, the province is allowing all child care centres to reopen. Effective immediately, staff can re-enter child care facilities and begin preparation for reopening. When these operators have met all the strict public health guidelines for reopening, they will be permitted to reopen. Guidance is available here. 

Summer day camp programs will also be reopen this summer with public health restrictions in place. Guidance available here. 

Social Gatherings  

As of Friday, June 12th at 12:01am, all regions of Ontario will see an increase of the limit of people allowed at social gatherings from 5 to 10 people. People are encouraged to continue practising physical distancing measures, including ensuring a distance of 2 metres between one another, with any person who lives outside of their household. 

Event spaces, such as wedding venues and funeral homes, will be allowed to operate with a maximum of 10 guests. 

Places of Worship 

All places of worship will be permitted to open with physical distancing in place provided they limit attendance to no more than 30% of building capacity as of June 12th at 12:01am. 

Weddings and funerals will remain at the 10-person limit for social gatherings. 

Thank you to every single person across Ontario for their sacrifice and contribution to be able to bring Ontario to this stage. We still have a way to go, but I know that we will come out even stronger than before.