The Ontario government has announced the region under the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will enter the province’s red-control zone of its COVID-19 response framework on Feb. 16.
It is on that day that the province’s stay-at-home order will be lifted and the local economy will be permitted to reopen with restrictions.
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End of stay-at-home order risks greater COVID-19 transmission: Simcoe Muskoka top doc
Gathering limits will also be loosened, allowing up to five people to congregate indoors and 25 people outdoors.
Indoor dining at restaurants and bars will be allowed to reopen with strict capacity limits — only 10 people will be permitted to be seated inside. Outdoor dining, takeout, delivery and drive-thru services will be allowed.
Gyms, barbers and hair and nail salons will be allowed reopen with restrictions.
The move back to Ontario’s COVID-19 red-control zone comes as the region is reporting a dip in its weekly case counts.
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Ontario begins phased reopening Wednesday, majority of regions to remain in lockdown
Despite a decline of COVID-19 cases in the region, Simcoe Muskoka’s top doctor, Dr. Charles Gardner, has said he would have preferred to see Ontario’s stay-at-home order extended and that residents should still limit their movement when the order lifts next week.
Simcoe Muskoka has seen several outbreaks, including one at Roberta Place long-term care home in Barrie, Ont., where a COVID-19 variant of concern has been present.
This is a breaking news story. More to come.