The entire province is moving to Alert Level 2 this weekend, as of 12 midnight on Friday. But with the continued risk of the spread of variants, things this time around will look a little different.
At Alert level 2, our focus is to control transmission while maintaining health system capacity throughout further re-opening of social and business activities.
That means many businesses will not be able to open to reduce capacity, and sports will be able to resume, albeit with certain restrictions which were not previously in place.
The maximum number of people for formal gatherings is being cautiously raised to 50. That includes wedding, funerals, and faith-based services.
Outdoor playgrounds and equipment can be used, where owner/operators allow.
Child-care services can operate at full-capacity.
Restaurants, bars, and lounges can now reopen to in-person dining up to 50 percent capacity.
The single most important thing to remember is to keep is to keep contacts low. Dr. Fitzgerald is recommending a “steady 20” which is the maximum number of close consistent friends or family members per household.
Sports teams and organized activities will be able to resume. Although tournaments will not be allowed without a Return to Play Plan submission which will have to be approved by officials.
Dr. Fitzgerald is recommending that a mask be worn at all times in indoor settings or where physical distancing cannot be maintained. That includes low-impact physical activity.
Dr. Fitzgerald says if numbers spike we will and return to lockdown.