Ontario will enter Step 2 of the province’s three-step COVID-19 reopening plan on June 30, sources tell 680NEWS.
Posted Jun 24, 2021, 05:53AM EDT
Ontario will enter Step 2 of the province’s three-step COVID-19 reopening plan on June 30, sources tell 680NEWS.
An official announcement from the government is expected on Thursday.
The move will mean barbers and salons will be able to open next Wednesday, two days earlier than expected. Capacity limits for retail stores and patios are also expected to expand.
Outdoor gathering capacity will increase to 25 people while indoor gatherings will be allowed with up to five people.
Step 2 required 70 per cent of adults with one dose and 20 per cent fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As of Wednesday, 76 per cent of Ontario adults have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and roughly 27 per cent are now fully vaccinated.
That vaccination rate matches the 70 to 80 per cent that is outlined for Step 3 of the reopening plan.
Premier Doug Ford had previously hinted that he would like to move to Step 2 a little bit sooner than originally planned.
There are 255 new cases of COVID-19 in Ontario today and 11 more deaths linked to the virus.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said there are 57 new cases in Toronto, 53 in the Region of Waterloo, and 25 in Peel Region.
