Ontario is increasing the capacity limits in certain indoor and outdoor settings where proof of vaccination is required, effective 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, September 25th.
The new capacity limits will mainly affect larger venues, as maximum percentage capacity limits still apply but the maximum number of people allowed has increased.
“Increasing capacity limits does not mean we can let our guard down,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, during an announcement of the increased capacity limits on Friday afternoon (September 24). “We must remain cautious and humble in the face of this delta variant.”
For indoor venues (including conference and convention centres, banquet halls, sporting event venues, performance venues, racing venues, and commercial and film television productions with studio audiences), the maximum capacity is now 50 per cent or 10,000 people, whichever is less. This is an increase from the previous maximum of 1,000 people.
This means 2,000 fully vaccinated fans can attend Peterborough Petes games at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
For outdoor event venues where patrons stand (including conference and convention centres, nightclubs, sports and recreational fitness facilities, concert venues, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, zoos, historic sites, and racing venues) the maximum capacity is now 75 per cent or 15,000 people, whichever is less. This is an increase from the previous maximum of 5,000 people.
For outdoor event venues where patrons sit (including sports and recreational fitness facilities, concert venues, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, zoos, historic sites, and racing venues), capacity limits will be increased to up to 75 per cent capacity or 30,000 people, whichever is less. This is an increase from the previous maximum of 15,000 people.
This means up to 30,000 fully vaccinated fans will now be allowed to attend games at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, which the government has classified as an outdoor venue — even when the dome is closed — after reviewing its ventilation system.
“We’ve worked them to understand the ventilation and the air exchange and we’re confident we can keep the roof closed, and continue to consider it an outdoor space,” Dr. Moore said.
Following the government’s announcement, the Toronto Blue Jays announced the 500L section at the Rogers Centre would be reopening.
Let’s get Toronto loud to help the Blue Jays punch that postseason ticket!
Tickets available now: https://t.co/M7PlRcHWYx pic.twitter.com/4sRyWrkX5k
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 24, 2021
At Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, almost 10,000 fully vaccinated fans will be able to attend games, instead of the previous 1,000. The Toronto Maple Leafs start their pre-season against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
The government also announced proof of vaccination will now be required in outdoor settings where the normal maximum capacity is 20,000 people or more.
