Kitchener-Waterloo

Waterloo region remains in red, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph moves to orange Monday

Waterloo region will remain in the red zone of the province's colour-coded COVID-19 framework while Guelph, Wellington County and Dufferin County move to orange as of Monday morning.

Capacity increases for restaurants in Ontario's red zones

Servers deliver drinks to people sitting on a patio. Servers are wearing medical masks.
Communities under Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health entered the orange zone Monday morning. Under orange, restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments can have 100 people or run at 50 per cent capacity, whichever is the lesser of the two. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Waterloo region remains in the red zone of the province's colour-coded COVID-19 framework while neighbouring Guelph and Wellington County moves into the orange as of Monday.

It was announced on Friday by the province that communities covered by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health could move to orange as of 12:01 a.m. Monday.

But at the same time, the province announced changes to the number of people who could dine inside in Ontario's red zones. On Saturday, capacity was increased to either 50 people or 50 per cent of capacity, whichever is the lesser of the two. Outdoor patios are allowed with two meters of physical distancing between groups.

Inside restaurants, people can only be seated with members of their same households, with exceptions only for caregivers and people who live alone, the provincial website says. People must wear masks or face coverings except when eating or drinking.

Under the red zone, social gatherings remain limited to five people indoors and 25 people outside. Religious ceremonies, weddings or funerals can fill a venue to 30 per cent of capacity or a maximum of 100 people outdoors.

People are encouraged to work remotely when possible under the red zone.

Orange for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

With Guelph, Wellington County and Dufferin County in the orange zone, social gatherings can now be 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors. Organized public events or gatherings in businesses or facilities where staff are present, such as in an event space, can be 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

There is no change in the number of people allowed at religious ceremonies, weddings or funerals when moving between the orange and red zones. Organizers can fill a venue to 30 per cent of capacity or a maximum of 100 people outdoors.

In restaurants, inside dining can be up to 50 per cent capacity or 100 people, whichever is less. People can only be seated with members of their household, with limited exceptions for caregivers and people who live alone.

Outdoor patios are allowed so long as there is enough space to allow for two meters of physical distancing. People must wear masks or face coverings except when eating or drinking.

Cinemas are allowed to open in orange zones, with 50 people indoors.