Simcoe Muskoka: What you need to know as the region enters Ontario's Step 1 reopening
Simcoe Muskoka joins the province on Friday as it moves into Step 1 of Ontario's Roadmap to Reopening, leaving many business owners scrambling to prepare to welcome back customers.
However, the first stage in the roadmap doesn't allow all businesses to start back up.
Here's what residents need to know as many closed signs spin around to read open on Friday.
STEP 1
Stores that have been open all along can remove the caution tape and barriers and sell everything once again. These retailers are restricted to a 25 per cent capacity limit.
Retailers that have had their doors locked for months can welcome back customers with a 15 per cent capacity.
Additionally, outdoor gatherings expand to 10 people, patios can offer dining with four at a table, and overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites can open in time for the weekend.
Here's a list of some local attractions reopening:
- Elmvale Jungle Zoo, Sat. June 12
- Santa's Village, Sat. June 12 - operating limited attractions on weekends until the end of June. Activities include splash pads, pools, food vendors, mini-golf, outdoor adventure park courses, aerial park, hiking trail and suspension bridge.
- Wye Marsh, Mon. June 14
- Scenic Caves Nature Adventures, opened on June 4
- Rounds Ranch, June 25
A complete list of what is permitted in Step 1 is available here.
Still, Step 1 excludes many businesses, most of which will reopen in the roadmap's second phase.
STEP 2
Many residents will be relieved when hairdressing, barbering and nail shops reopen during the second stage.
This stage allows for personal care services, including tattooing and piercings, as long as face masks can be worn at all times.
Additionally, outdoor gatherings jump to 25 people, and indoor gatherings are permitted, but with a five-person limit.
Capacity limits on retailers jump to 25 per cent for non-essential and 50 per cent for essential.
Here is a list of other restrictions that will ease:
- indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies at 25 per cent capacity of the room
- outdoor dining up to six per table
- outdoor sports and leagues
- outdoor meeting and event spaces with capacity limits
- outdoor cinemas and performing arts with capacity limits
- horse racing and motor speedways for spectators with capacity limits
- outdoor tour and guide services with capacity limits
- public libraries with capacity limits
- outdoor waterparks and amusement parks with capacity limits
- overnight camps
- fairs and rural exhibitions with capacity limits
The province anticipates moving into Step 2 in about three weeks if positive trends continue with COVID-19 cases.
On Thursday, Ontario reported a slight increase in new infections in the last two days, with 590 new cases. It logged 411 positive cases 24 hours before.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.