Halton Region, including Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville will be moving to Stage 3 of reopening effective Friday, July 24. As more businesses and public spaces will be able to reopen and restrictions are eased, Halton Region has also taken steps to make sure that public remains safe. Starting today, non-medical masks or face coverings are mandatory in all public indoor spaces across the region, with public other health measures still strongly encouraged.
Halton Region is ready to move Stage 3 of reopening based on the community’s strong adherence to these public health measures that have results in low daily case numbers over the last few weeks and the sustained capacity of local hospitals. Halton Region Public Health has also been able to complete case and contact tracing for more than 90 per cent of all new cases.
“Moving to Stage 3 is another important step forward for our great region,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “I’d like to thank all of our residents and businesses for their incredible efforts to protect each other and help stop the spread of COVID-19. As we keep moving forward, public health measures, including wearing a mask in indoor public places, are more important than ever, so we can reopen our community and economy as safely as possible.”
As part of Stage 3, limits on social gatherings will also be increased, subject to physical distancing requirements and wearing a mask in all indoor public places, unless exempt from Regional By-Law 47-20 (PDF file):
- indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people;
- outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people; and
- people gathering indoors for religious services, rites or ceremonies and wedding ceremonies or funeral services, can continue to fill up to 30 per cent of the capacity of the particular room, as introduced in Stage 2.
Halton Region Public Health is reminding residents that important public health measures and direction remain in place as the COVID-19 pandemic and emergency continues.
“As restrictions are eased in our community, it’s important that we continue to stay vigilant in our response to COVID-19,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health. “Please continue to protect yourself and others by washing your hands frequently, practicing physical distancing with those outside of your social circle, wearing a non-medical mask or face covering in indoor public places, and staying home if you are sick. While we’ve come a long way together, we must continue to take these steps to help keep our community safe and healthy.”
As of 12:01 a.m. on July 24, nearly all businesses and public spaces will be able to reopen with some exemptions:
- amusement parks and water parks;
- buffet-style food services;
- dancing at restaurants and bars, other than performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements;
- overnight stays at camps for children;
- private karaoke rooms;
- prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports;
- saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars; and
- table games at casinos and gaming establishments.
For more information on what is reopening in Stage 3, what remains closed and key public health measures such as the Mandatory Mask By-law, please visit our Reopening Halton Region webpage. As always, please continue to visit halton.ca/COVID19 for the latest on cases in our community and how to protect yourself and others.
The Regional Municipality of Halton serves 580,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, call 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at halton.ca.