By Chad Ingram
The provincial government announcedMonday that as of 12:01 a.m. Friday June 12 a number of businesseswill be able to re-open at least in modified fashion in communitiesoutside the Toronto area as the province enacts Stage 2 of itsCOVID-19 recovery process in those areas.
Included on the list is the areacovered by the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit.
“In consultation with the chiefmedical officer of health and local health officials the governmentis easing restrictions in communities where it is safe to do sobased on trends of key public health indicators such as lower ratesof transmission increased capacity in hospitals and progress madein testing” reads a press release from the province.
As of Friday outdoor dine-in servicesat restaurants bars and other establishments may resume with properhealth and safety protocols in place. Also on the list are personalcare services such as barber shops and hair salons beauty salons andtattoo parlours. Tours including biking walking bus and boattours as well as tasting tours at wineries breweries anddistilleries may resume. Recreational water facilities such assplash pads wading pools and swimming pools may reopen withprotocols in place as well as outdoor recreational facilities forteam sports with processes in place to enable physical distancing. Camping at private campgrounds as well as beach access and campingat provincial parks will also be permitted to resume. Social gatherings will be able to include up to 10 people.
"The health and long-term economicwell-being of the people of Ontario has guided every decision we havemade in response to COVID-19" Rod Phillips Minister ofFinance and chairman of the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee saidin a statement. "The people and employers of Ontario havedemonstrated responsible behaviour throughout the global pandemic.I'm confident that will continue in Stage 2 and beyond. Ourcollective health and the economic recovery of the province depend onit."
The release also indicates the provincewill soon be releasing information on the reopening of day caressummer camps and public transit.
