In order to align with the Government of Ontario’s easing of public health measures outlined under the Reopening Ontario Act, the Middlesex-London Health Unit is lifting its Section 22 Order for Food and Drink Establishments as well as its Letter of Instruction to Sports and Recreation Facilities. The Order being rescinded required food and drink to be consumed only while in designated and stationary areas, with a mask being worn at all times, except when consuming food or beverages. The Instruction being rescinded required individuals 12 years of age and older attending an indoor facility for organized sports events to provide proof of full vaccination upon entry, as well as the enforcement of masking, physical distancing and capacity limits at these facilities.
On Monday, February 14, the provincial government provided an update on its plans to gradually ease public health restrictions. As part of this plan, starting Thursday, February 17, capacity limits in many settings will be expanded, including the removal of capacity limits in indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, such as restaurants and bars. Additionally, the Province has indicated that as of March 1, proof of vaccination will no longer be required in all settings, although businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. It is important to note that until March 1, proof of vaccination is still required under Provincial regulations for individuals 12 years of age and older at indoor facilities for organized sport.
The Health Unit’s decision to lift its Order and Instruction was made to align with the Province’s reopening plan and remove duplication of effort.
“The new public health measures in place as of February 17 still impact the settings which were the subjects of our Order and Instruction,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Acting Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “What we are doing locally continues to align with the Province’s public health measures.”
The Middlesex-London Health Unit continues to recommend that: all individuals get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible to do so; individuals maintain a smaller social circle; gatherings be held outdoors as much as possible; people maintain two metres of physical distance from each other; and masks be worn in all indoor settings.
For more information about the easing of COVID-19 public health measures and what it means for the Middlesex-London region, please visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/public-health-measures
Media Contact:
Beth Milne, Communications Supervisor, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-617-0564 (cell)
Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit