Good evening Kanata North,
This week, we reached another milestone in our fight against COVID-19. As of today, 66 per cent of people 18 and older have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, we also moved into Step 3 of the province’s Roadmap to Reopen. This is very encouraging; however, Dr. Brent Moloughney, Ottawa’s Deputy Medical Officer of Health, shared concerns about COVID-19 variants in last week’s statement. While we are making significant progress, we need to stay proactive and vigilant of the virus’ variants as we go into the fall. We know the Delta variant is more transmissible and is giving rise to resurgences in other countries despite high levels of immunization. Ottawa Public Health will keep an eye on hospitalizations as a key measure of whether the virus is reaching more vulnerable populations.
The actions residents continue to take (wearing masks indoors and in crowded spaces, practicing physical distancing, limiting close contacts and getting two doses of COVID-19 vaccine) are enabling us to keep COVID-19 levels at bay. Each day, we are moving one step closer toward community immunity. Let’s keep the momentum going. If you have not yet been vaccinated, please book an appointment as soon as you can.
Understanding Step 3 of Reopening
Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen 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.
City prepares to gradually expand in-person services under Step 3
Under Step Three, Recreation and Cultural Services offered through the city will return with some new restrictions and measures in place. Access to most activities will require a reservation in advance. The following activities will reopen with capacity limits:
- Indoor public and lane swims at select pools;
- Indoor aqua fitness programs at select pools;
- Summer Learn-to-Swim programs, starting the week of July 26 with restrictions;
- Weight and cardio rooms at select facilities;
- Indoor sport activities at select facilities;
- Select City indoor and outdoor rental spaces will be available with capacity limits. Please contact the facility directly for rental information;
- Drop-in programs such as fitness classes, older adult fitness classes, and skating have started at select locations;
- City-run galleries will begin to reopen on July 22; and
- Ottawa Public Library will expand in-person services, increase capacity, and reopen creative spaces starting Monday, July 26. Please visit OPL’s Hours and locations page and current branch services page for more details.
Easing of border measures for fully vaccinated travellers
Earlier today, the Government of Canada announced the easing of border measures for fully vaccinated travellers. Starting August 9, Canada will begin allowing entry to American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel. On September 7, provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable, the Government intends to open Canada’s borders to any fully vaccinated travellers who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements.
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.
It is encouraging to see our progress, and how far we’ve come as a community. Please continue to make informed choices. If you have not yet received a vaccine, please book an appointment. There currently are plenty of vaccines in supply.
Take care,
Jenna Sudds