Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Here's a breakdown of Ontario's current COVID-19 response

From testing to isolation, there have been a lot of changes — here's a look at restrictions and other things you need to know
Maija Hoggett
Maija Hoggett
covid_school_2000x1333

From heading back to school, testing to isolation changes — there have been a lot of changes to the COVID-19 guidance in Ontario.

The highly contagious Omicron variant has led to record-high daily case counts in the province. With the province's testing capacity overwhelmed, Ontario chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore announced changes to who can get tested this week. 

The new approach, he said, is to focus on testing and case and contact management at high-risk settings.

Here's a breakdown of what the situation is in Ontario today:

Going out

  • Social gatherings are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. 
  • Restaurants, malls, grocery stores, pharmacies, gyms, and more are open. For indoor public settings, there is a 50 per cent capacity limit. The limits don't apply to areas of the business being used for a wedding, funeral, or a religious service, rite or ceremony.
  • For high-risk indoor settings such as gyms and restaurants, proof of vaccination is required.
  • There's a maximum number of 10 people per table at restaurants or meeting and event spaces. People are required to remain seated. Dancing and singing are not allowed unless you're a worker or performer. 
  • No food or drink can be sold at sporting events, concerts, theatres, cinemas, casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments.
  • Alcohol sales are restricted after 10 p.m. 
  • Capacity limits at arenas or concert venues are restricted to 50 per cent of the seating capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less.

Long-term care homes

  • General visitors are not allowed access to long-term care homes. Designated caregivers are allowed to continue entering the facilities. 
  • Day absences for social purposes are paused for all residents.
  • When the pause on visiting lifts, visitors will need to show proof of a third dose of the vaccine.
  • A fourth booster dose is now recommended for residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder care lodges and congregate care settings three months (84 days) after their third dose. 
  • Third doses are required by Jan. 28 for all staff, students, volunteers, caregivers and support workers.

Earlier this month, the province put in place other changes, including testing fully vaccinated visitors and staff at long-term care and retirement homes.

Schools

  • Students will head back Jan. 5, which is a couple of days delayed for some boards.
  • The COVID-19 daily screening is being updated.
  • N95 masks will be available for staff at schools and licensed child-care settings.
  • 3,000 more standalone HEPA filter units are being sent to school boards.
  • Only low-contact indoor sports and safe extra-curricular activities are allowed.
  • For elementary schools, assemblies will be virtual only.
  • Indoor lunches and breaks will be restricted to classroom cohorts when distancing between the cohorts can't be maintained.

Testing

  • PCR tests are only available for high-risk people who are symptomatic or at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. People with mild symptoms should not seek testing.
  • If you test positive from a rapid antigen test, you no longer have to get a PCR test to confirm it.

Isolation

  • The isolation period for vaccinated people, children under 12 and household contacts has dropped to five days from the start of symptoms. Non-household contacts self-monitor for 10 days.
  • There's a 10-day isolation period for people who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised.
  • Health-care workers can return to work after isolating for seven days. They'll need to have a negative PCR or rapid antigen test provided by the province.

Vaccination

  • Vaccines are open to all Ontarians five years and up.
  • Booster shots are open for all Ontarians 18 years and older. 

Proof of Vaccination 

To go to non-essential, high-risk indoor settings such as restaurants or the gym, proof of vaccination is required. The full list of affected locations is available here.

  • Starting Jan. 4, the enhanced vaccine certificate with the QR code and a piece of identification is required. Businesses must also use the Verify Ontario App
  • The certificate with the QR code can be downloaded here. You'll need your health card to access it. A digital or printed copy of the certificate must be accepted.
  • A QR code is also going to be needed for medical exemptions and clinical trial exemptions. As of Jan. 10, physician notes will no longer be accepted under the proof-of-vaccination system.