NEWS RELEASE
TOWN OF MIDLAND
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The Town of Midland joined the Province in moving into Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen as of 12:01 a.m. this morning, Friday, July 16, 2021.
“Moving to Step Three of the Reopening of Ontario is a tremendous accomplishment given where we were just two short months ago. Reaching this step and seeing the restrictions further lifted has been possible thanks to the efforts of all our businesses and residents doing their part.” said Mayor Stewart Strathearn.
“While things are returning to a state of normalcy, there remain capacity restrictions and safety protocols that we must continue to adhere to in Step 3. The delta variant is still a real threat to those not fully vaccinated so please continue to exercise caution and please get vaccinated so we can all return to a normal life.”
As of July 16, 2021, over 79.8 per cent of the population in Ontario 18 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and over 60.5 per cent have received a second dose. A continued decline in COVID-19 cases and patients in ICU prompted the Province to move to Step Three ahead of schedule.
Locally, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has seen a steep decline in both active cases (46 as of July 15) and hospitalizations (4 as of July 15).
Step Three primarily involves the resumption of more indoor activities, allowing larger numbers of people with restrictions still in place. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people;
• 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 can open with a maximum 50 per cent capacity. 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. Capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less;
• Essential and non-essential retail 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:
o up to 50 per cent capacity indoors or a maximum limit of 1,000 people for seated events (whichever is less)
o up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum limit of 5,000 people for unseated events (whichever is less); 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 restaurant/bars, permitted up to 25 per cent capacity or up to a maximum limit of 250 people (whichever is less).
North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre
We are continuing to review the provincial regulations to ensure our organizations and public clearly understand the restrictions and protocols required to use the facility.
Please check our town website for any service updates over the next few weeks for updates. The North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre (NSSRC) will continue to host the SMDHU COVID-19 vaccination clinic until it is determined this is no longer required by the Health Unit.
Currently operating at the NSSRC under existing restrictions:
• SMDHU Vaccination Clinic
• Boys and Girls Club Summer
• Kinark Children Services
• Rogers TV
• Sea and Air Cadets
As of July 26 – Stage 3:
• Gym rentals* will resume with current Stage 3 restrictions.
• One ice pad rentals* will resume with current Stage 3 restrictions.
As of Aug. 6 – Stage 3
• General room rentals* will resume with current Stage 3 restrictions.
*All rentals will require a safety plan provided by the renter.
The full list of public health and workplace safety measures that must be followed in Step Three can be found on the Province’s Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopening Ontario web page.
The Town of Midland will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and provide updates on our website at Midland.ca/COVID-19, and we encourage residents to follow our social media channels for updates as well, @MidlandON on Twitter, and @townofmidland on Facebook.
For more information on the state of COVID-19 in our area, please contact the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or visit their website at simcoemuskokahealth.org.
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