News Release
June 25, 2021

Yesterday, the Province of Ontario announced Toronto can enter Step Two of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen on Wednesday, June 30 at 12:01 a.m. The City of Toronto is prepared to advance to Step Two reopening.

The move to Step Two is happening ahead of schedule thanks to vaccination coverage and other public health indicators. In Step Two, additional restrictions put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 are being lifted. The City is updating the COVID-19: Reopening Guide for Toronto Residents with a list of activities that are permitted when Toronto enters Step Two on Wednesday morning.

As announced by the Province, some of the changes impacting Toronto residents when the city moves into Step Two in time for Canada Day are:

  • Indoor gatherings up to five people permitted
  • Outdoor gatherings up to 25 people permitted
  • Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including weddings and funerals permitted up to 25 per cent capacity of the particular room
  • Groups of up to six people per table permitted for outdoor dining; indoor dining remains prohibited
  • Personal services like haircuts and manicures are permitted, providing people keep their masks on the entire time and capacity is limited to 25 per cent
  • Essential retail capacity moves to 50 per cent and non-essential retail to 25 per cent capacity, non-essential stores inside malls also permitted to open with some restrictions
  • Outdoor team sports without contact or modified to avoid contact permitted; spectator capacity at outdoor sport facilities permitted to 25 per cent
  • Outdoor fitness classes are only limited to the number of people who can maintain three metres of physical distance
  • Overnight camps for children permitted
  • Outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas, with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity
  • Outdoor attractions for museums, aquariums and zoos permitted at 25 per cent capacity
  • Outdoor fairs, rural exhibitions and festivals permitted at 25 per cent capacity and with other restrictions

Full details of the announcement are in the Province’s Ontario Moving to Step Two of Roadmap to Reopen on June 30 news release.

The move to Step Two impacts some City services. Changes to City services as of June 30 include:

CaféTO

As restaurants prepare to welcome up to six customers per table, CaféTO continues to support more than 1,000 restaurants with expanded outdoor dining spaces in curb lanes, on sidewalks and on private property this summer across Toronto. Registration window #3 remains open for restaurant and bar operators interested in potentially creating or expanding outdoor dining options. An additional 43 curb lane patios were added in the last week alone. Learn more at toronto.ca/CafeTO.

Permits for outdoor leagues and team sports

As of June 30, games and scrimmages can be played. Most seasonal permits for sports fields have already been issued and the City is reaching out to permit holders directly about what is permitted effective June 30.

Indoor and outdoor religious and ceremonial permits

Religious and ceremonial permits will be issued for 25 per cent of indoor capacity and outdoor permits can be issued with physical distancing requirements.

Permits for picnics and fire pits

As of June 30, the City will be issuing picnic and fire pit permits for gatherings of 25 people or fewer. Information on picnic and fire pit permits is on the City’s One-Time Booking of Parks & Recreation Facilities webpage.

Permits for outdoor fitness

Outdoor fitness classes can increase from 10 participants to 20, providing physical distancing of three metres can be maintained by participants. The City is reaching out to permit holders directly about what is permitted effective June 30. To help support fitness businesses, the City continues to waive permit fees for outdoor fitness classes in parks. Gyms and other businesses can apply through the Seasonal Leagues and Bookings webpage.

Outdoor amusement

Information on Centreville’s reopening will be posted on the Centre Island website.

Outdoor performing arts venues and permits

The City is working with High Park and Earl Bales amphitheatre user groups to develop an opening plan. Permits for arts and music in parks can be issued and direct communication is underway with permit applicants.

Farms and zoos

Capacity for outdoor areas of animal attractions, including High Park Zoo and Riverdale Farm will increase to 25 per cent. More information about public health measures at the farm and zoo are available on the City’s Riverdale Farm and High Park Zoo webpages.

Staff are in the process of reviewing the provincial legislation for impacts to City services. A full list of changes to City services, updated regularly, is available on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage.

Vaccine coverage is a key consideration in the provincial Roadmap to Reopen. While Toronto is currently exceeding the provincial targets – at 75 per cent first dose coverage and nearly 35 per cent completed vaccination – it is vital to maintain vaccination momentum and continue advancing through reopening.

All people age 12 and older are eligible to book first dose vaccination appointments at City-run immunization clinics. Anyone age 70 or older, adults who received a first mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) on or before May 30, and people who received a first AstraZeneca vaccine at least eight weeks ago are eligible to book an accelerated second dose appointment at a City-run clinic. Appointments can be booked by residents through the dark blue “Book a Vaccine” button on toronto.ca/covid-19 or by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900.

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Media Relations