OTTAWA The Ontario government is imposing a stay-at-home order effective Thursday, April 8, as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to climb. The stay-at-home order requires everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes, including going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services and for exercise close to home. Premier Doug Ford says the new provincial emergency and stay-at-home order will continue for four weeks. It comes after Ontario implemented a provincewide shutdown last Saturday to limit the spread of COVID-19. Here is a look at what the stay-at-home order means for Ottawa.
Gatherings
All events and social gatherings
OTTAWA There are new restrictions on social gatherings, bars, restaurants, personal care services and businesses in Ottawa today, as a month-long shutdown begins. The Ontario government imposed a province-wide emergency brake at 12:01 a.m. as a result of an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Under the rules, indoor gatherings are prohibited, while outdoor gatherings are capped at a maximum of five people. Indoor and patio dining at bars and restaurants is prohibited, while gyms, fitness centres and personal care services must close. Obviously, we all have a part to play in this, said Mayor Jim Watson in an interview on CTV News at Six Friday evening.
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Ottawa’s return Tuesday to the Orange-Restrict zone means that events and social gatherings in private homes, backyards and parks may now include 10 people for indoor gatherings and 25 for outdoor ones.
Organized public events and gatherings taking place in staffed businesses or facilities may now include 50 people indoors and 100 outside.
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Meanwhile, indoor religious services, weddings and funerals will be limited to 30 per cent of capacity, while outdoor ones can have a maximum of 100 people.
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Skating on the outdoor refrigerated rinks will continue by reservation only, with a maximum capacity of 25 skaters.
Other recreation and arts programming and activities will be announced in the coming weeks.
Community outdoor rinks
The Ottawa Public Health directive keeps outdoor skating rink capacity at 25 skaters and 12 for puddle rinks.
With non-contact sports scrimmages and play permitted, skaters may bring hockey sticks and equipment on the ice as long as rink capacity and physical distancing requirements are observed.
Masks must be worn within 15 metres of the edge of the rink and are highly recommended while skating.
Sledding hills
OTTAWA Fitness programs and some city of Ottawa services will reopen for in-person visits next week when the COVID-19 lockdown ends. Ottawa s move to the orange-restrict level in Ontario s COVID-19 restriction framework allows some city services to resume, including fitness programs. The city says recreation services will restart gradually at some locations. Access to most activities will require reservations in advance.
The following activities and programs will resume at city facilities on Feb. 16: Public and lane swims at select pools Aquafitness programs Sport activities with capacity limits and physical distancing measures Older adult programming Reservations for these activities can be made beginning Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. Visit https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/recreation-programs/drop-activities for details.