Ontario businesses are reopening to customers this week, but continuing with strict COVID-19 protocols in place.
“We’re expecting to have a busy week, especially on Fridays and Saturdays”, said Cyler Sarmienpo, manager at Pickle Barrel restaurant.
“Right now we’re still taking their vaccine passports and their ID’s, we’re only asking for the 2 vaccines,” she added.
When Premier Doug Ford announced on Jan, 3 that Ontario would be going into lockdown for the fourth time, restaurants, gyms and theatres were forced to close.
Rodrigo Romero said he was looking forward to heading back to his regular routine at Planet Fitness.
“I was really excited to hear about gyms finally reopening after what it seemed like a long time,” Romero said.
Gyms are now permitted to open at 50% capacity.
Trevor Dehaan, public relations specialist for GoodLife Fitness, said he doesn’t anticipate users will encounter many delays.
“We are confident our members will have ample time to get in their workouts with no or very minimal wait times under current capacity limits.”
Dehaan also said that they worked very closely with health care experts to meet or exceed public health guidelines.
“All members received reopening details that reiterated the COVID-19 safety protocols GoodLife has implemented,” Dehaan said.
Along with fitness centres, restaurants are able to offer indoor dining at 50% capacity.
Other big venues, like movie theatres have once again reopened their doors to the public.
“We’re thrilled to have reopened over 60 theatres and 6 venues in Ontario yesterday,” Melissa Pressacco, director of communications at Cineplex said in a statement.
For many hockey athletes ready to get back to their sport, some ice arenas in the GTA like Scotiabank Pond and Chesswood arena have reopened their doors.
Scotiabank Pond released a statement on its website saying it’s already opened to the public and everyone entertaining the arena will need to follow all COVID-19 protocols like wearing a face mask, they must show proof of vaccination or a valid medical exemption every time you enter the building if you are above the age of 12.