Limits on gatherings increased to 10; physical distancing still required

On Monday, June 8, the Ontario government announced details of its Stage 2 plan to reopen the province. Here’s what you need to know:

Limits on gatherings

Effective Friday, June 12, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.:

• the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people across the province, including in Whitby.
• all places of worship in Ontario, including in Whitby, will be permitted to open with physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers.

Stage 2 reopening

Ontario has taken a region-based approach to reopening and is easing restrictions in communities where it is safe to do so, based on trends of key public health indicators such as lower rates of transmission, increased capacity in hospitals, and progress made in testing.

While Whitby’s cases of COVID-19 remain low, the municipality is located in the Durham Public Health unit region, which is not one of the public health regions that have been permitted to move to Stage 2 as of this Friday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m.

According to the announcement, the Province will provide an update at the beginning of each week on the ongoing assessment of the regions that are closed.

Safe physical distancing

Public health officials continue to stress the importance of practicing safe physical distancing, regardless of where you live in the province, to slow the spread of COVID-19.

More information

For ongoing updates on what is closed, cancelled or reopening in Whitby, visit whitby.ca/reopening.