Good afternoon Kanata North,
The province will move into Step Three of its Roadmap to Reopen this Friday, July 16 at 12:01 AM. This is tremendous news, especially for our local small businesses, which are now permitted to re-open or operate at increased capacity.
This move to reopen is happening earlier than initially expected, which is partly because of the successful mass-immunization across the province. We’ve also seen continued improvements in other key public health and health care indicators, including hospitalizations, ICU occupancy and the weekly cases incidence rates. According to the Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 Daily Dashboard, we currently have 35 active COVID-19 cases in Ottawa, with zero new cases reported today. This is very encouraging. Vaccines work. As a reminder, if you’re eligible, please book an appointment as soon as possible.
What will be permitted under Step Three?
Step Three of the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of additional indoor services with larger numbers of people and restrictions in place. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people with limited exceptions;
- Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people;
- Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing;
- Indoor dining permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect;
- Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to open subject to a maximum 50 per cent capacity of the indoor space. Capacity for indoor spectators is 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less. Capacity for outdoor spectators is 75 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 15,000 people, whichever is less;
- Indoor meeting and event spaces permitted to operate with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect and capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people, (whichever is less);
- Essential and non-essential retail with with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
- Personal care services, including services requiring the removal of a face covering, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
- Museums, galleries, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, landmarks, botanical gardens, science centres, casinos/bingo halls, amusement parks, fairs and rural exhibitions, festivals, with capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity indoors and 75 per cent capacity outdoors;
- Concert venues, cinemas, and theatres permitted to operate at:
- up to 50 per cent capacity indoors or a maximum limit of 1,000 people for seated events (whichever is less)
- up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum limit of 5,000 people for unseated events (whichever is less); and up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum of 15,000 people for events with fixed seating (whichever is less).
- Real estate open houses with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres; and
- Indoor food or drink establishments where dance facilities are provided, including nightclubs and restobars, permitted up to 25 per cent capacity or up to a maximum limit of 250 people (whichever is less).
Face coverings in indoor public settings and physical distancing requirements remain in place throughout Step Three. This is in alignment with the advice on personal public health measures issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada, while also accounting for Ontario specific information and requirements. Face coverings will also be required in some outdoor public settings as well.
Please view the regulation for the full list of public health and workplace safety measures that need to be followed.
How to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment
- You can visit the provincial booking tool to check your eligibility or book an appointment.
- Information on vaccinations at pharmacies is available here.
- Register daily for the COVID-19 vaccine wait list for last-minute appointments. Please note this list resets daily at 11:59 pm. If you still require a vaccine, please register your information each day after this time.
Drop-in appointments now available for residents needing first dose
The City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health are making it easier for residents who have yet to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone who has not yet had a first dose can now drop in to any city-run community clinic between 10 am and 7 pm or pop-up clinic while supplies last. No appointment needed. You can find a clinic near you by using the vaccine clinic location tool on OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19vaccine.
Residents who have already received their first dose are also reminded to re-book their second dose appointments to an earlier date. All residents who are 12 years old and up can book their second dose as early as 28 days after their first dose.
Those who prefer a scheduled appointment can book a first or second dose appointment by visiting Ontario.ca/bookvaccine to access the provincial booking system or call the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900 between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week.
You can also register daily on the vaccine wait-list tool to book last-minute, same-day COVID-19 vaccinations at City of Ottawa community clinics for unclaimed doses. These appointments can open up at any time during the day and registered residents will be contacted by Ottawa Public Health by text, email or phone as they become available.
Outdoor recreation
Outdoor tennis and cycling summer programs for adults and youth are resuming as scheduled. Spaces remain available. Visit the Summer 2021 eGuide to view and register for these programs.
Summer day camps
In addition, spaces are still available in July and August for the City’s low-ratio Summer Day Camps, which provides physically distanced activities, game and crafts for children between the ages of 4 and 12. You can register and view our 2021 Summer Camp eGuide on ottawa.ca/recreation.
Please visit ottawa.ca/recreation for more information on outdoor recreation facility locations and rental information, as well as COVID-safety protocols. Residents will be required to follow all COVID-safety protocols and measures.
Please continue to follow restrictions and exercise your best judgement as the province continues to reopen. Please also continue to support our Kanata North restaurants and other small businesses in any way you can.
Lastly, please remember to check in on your mental health. Don’t struggle in silence. Please reach out or take a look at the many mental health resources from Ottawa Public Health.
Take care,
Jenna Sudds