14 February 2022

Ontario and Nova Scotia Loosening Restrictions: Great News For Tourism

Restrictions are being eased in two Canadian provinces popular with tourists.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford today said his province will end its COVID-19 vaccine passport system beginning on March 1, and that changes for restaurants and other businesses are coming later this week. All capacity limits in restaurants, bars, cinemas and gyms will be lifted as of Thursday, a move that was set to take effect on Feb. 21, the CBC notes.

The province of Nova Scotia today entered phase 1 of its’ three-step plan to ease restrictions, upping the limit for informal gatherings and lifting all restrictions for domestic travellers.

It’s a huge day for Ontario tourism and should provide a ray of light to travel and tourism businesses in places such as Toronto, Ottawa and Niagara Falls.

“Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of Ontarians we‘re now agonizingly close to the end of the restrictions that have paralyzed the tourism industry for nearly two years,” said Chris Bloore, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. “However the economic scars of the pandemic will remain indefinitely.

“As we begin the process of reopening fully, continued government support will be integral to ensure the tourism industry returns to its pre–pandemic levels as quickly as possible,” Bloore said.

There’s a cool mini-golf course right next to the Niagara SkyWheel in the Clifton Hill amusement area. – JIM BYERS PHOTO

The Ontario mask mandate will remain in place until a later date that’s yet to be announced. But the CBC says the Ontario government will speed up the second phase of its COVID-19 reopening plan to Thursday of this week.

The province said in a new release that although it’s removing the vaccine passport system, businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.

Global News reports that Phase 1 of a three-step plan to ease coronavirus restrictions in Nova Scotia is starting today.

The limit for informal gatherings has increased to 25 people from 10 people, but formal events such as weddings, funerals and faith services can still only operate at 50 per cent capacity. All restrictions for domestic travellers are lifted, while retail businesses and malls can operate at maximum capacity with physical distancing and masks, the network said.

Restaurants and bars can operate at 75 per cent capacity instead of 50 per cent, Global reported.

“Phase 1 is to last about a month, after which gathering limits are set to increase further under Phase 2 and to be removed altogether under Phase 3,” the network said in a published report.

Tagged as: bars, Doug Ford, omicron, public health, restaurants., Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, travel restrictions

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