What red zone rules mean for Waterloo region
Restaurants restricted to 10 indoor diners, theatres close as part of COVID-19 measures
Under Ontario's provincial framework, moving from the "orange zone" to the "red zone" means large social gatherings are not permitted and "the limit for all organized public events and social gatherings has been lowered to five people indoors and 25 people outdoors," Health Minister Christine Elliott said Friday.
Religious services, weddings and funerals can only be at 30 per cent capacity indoors and 100 people maximum outdoors.
Businesses need to have safety plans that outline how they will keep employees and customers/visitors safe, which must be available upon request. There will be more requirements for workplace screening.
As well, many businesses will be recording people's contact information for tracing purposes, should there be a coronavirus case among staff or clients.
At restaurants:
- A maximum of 10 people can sit inside. Restaurants must limit groups to four people per table, tables separated 2m or by a barrier. Patrons will be required to answer screening questions before being seated. Outdoor dining, take out, drive through, and delivery are permitted.
- Dancing, singing and live performances with brass and wind instruments are prohibited.
- Nightclubs can only be opened if they operate as a restaurant or bar.
- Restaurants and bars need to close at 10 p.m. and last call is at 9 p.m.
Personal care services that include steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools must close. Hair salons and barber shops can remain open, but any services where a person's mask needs to be removed, such as a shave, cannot be done.
Strip clubs are not allowed to be open after being closed in the "orange zone."
Movie theatres and performing art facilities must close unless being used for a rehearsal space or if someone is performing a recorded or broadcast event. Drive-in theatres can remain open.
As well, non-essential travel from areas of high-transmission to areas of low transmission should be avoided.
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