ORANGE ROLLOUT
City's next-stage COVID rules
Ottawa's return today to the Orange-Restrict zone means that events and social gatherings in private homes, backyards and parks may now include 10 people for indoor gatherings and 25 for outdoor ones. Organized public events and gatherings taking place in staffed businesses or facilities may now include 50 people indoors and 100 outside. Meanwhile, indoor religious services, weddings and funerals will be limited to 30 per cent of capacity, while outdoor ones can have a maximum of 100 people.
Here are some of the other restrictions that will be in place:
GATHERINGS AND CLOSE CONTACT
Close contact should be limited to those in your household, while two-metre distancing should be maintained with others. People who live alone can have close contact with only one other household.
BUSINESSES
Businesses must screen employees using the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces, and post signs at all entrances informing people how to screen themselves. They must also limit capacity to ensure people can keep two metres apart, and workers must wear PPE over their eyes, nose and mouth if they come within two metres of anyone not wearing a mask or face covering, or separated by Plexiglas. Fitting rooms in stores cannot be adjacent to one another.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Restaurants are limited to 50 people indoors, with no more than four people at any table. Guests must sit at least two metres between tables, and wear masks or other face coverings except when eating or drinking (except for those under the age of two, or those with medical documentation). Guests must also provide their names and contact information. Establishments must close by 10 p.m., and alcohol cannot be sold after 9 p.m. or consumed after 10 p.m. Buffets
are not permitted.
SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FITNESS FACILITIES
Indoor capacity is limited to 10 people per class, and 50 people in areas with weights and exercise machines. Outdoor classes will be limited to 25 people per class. One parent or guardian per child is allowed; spectators are otherwise forbidden. With some exceptions, masks or face coverings must be worn except when exercising. In classes and areas with weights or exercise equipment, a three-metre distance must be maintained between individuals. Names and contact information must also be provided. Team and individual sports must be modified to avoid physical contact, and leagues can have no more than 50 people. There is a 90-minute time restriction on classes and workouts. Outdoor ski, ice and snow amenities will be open.
MEETINGS AND EVENT SPACES
Capacity is limited to 50 people per facility indoors, and 100 outdoors, with no more than four per table. Guests must provide their names and contact information. Time restrictions are the same as those for bars and restaurants.
PERSONAL CARE SERVICES
Oxygen bars, steam rooms, saunas, sensory deprivation pods (other than those for therapeutic purposes), bath houses and other “adult” venues remain closed, as do other services requiring guests to remove face coverings.
CASINOS, BINGO HALLS AND GAMING ESTABLISHMENTS
Capacity is limited to 50 people, while table games such as poker, blackjack and roulette are not permitted. Alcohol cannot be served after 9 p.m. or consumed after 10 p.m.
CINEMAS
Capacity is limited to 50 people indoors and 100 outside. Masks or face coverings must be worn except when eating or drinking. The above alcohol restrictions apply. The Mayfair Theatre on Bank Street announced it will reopen on Friday.
PERFORMING ARTS FACILITIES
Capacity is limited to 50 spectators indoors and 100 outside. There must be a barrier, such as Plexiglas, between singers and wind- or brass-instrument players and audience members. The above alcohol restrictions also apply.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
The Canadian War Museum and the Museum of History have announced their reopenings effective Wednesday. Each will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, and until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. The Museum of Nature has announced it will reopen Thursday. The Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the
Art Gallery of Canada had not announced reopenings as of Monday.
CITY OF OTTAWA SERVICES AND FACILITIES
The city announced that some of its services and facilities will be open today, although others won't resume until Feb. 22, and there may be limitations, such as face-to-face services available only by appointment. Here's how city facilities and services will start opening up again:
RECREATION AND CULTURE
The following activities and programs will resume on Feb. 16: Public and lane swims at select pools; aquafitness programs; weight and cardio rooms will reopen with capacity limits; sport activities with capacity limits and physical distancing measures; older adult programming; public skating at select arenas will start on Feb. 20.
Reservations for these activities can now be made on ottawa.ca Recreation services will restart gradually at some locations. Access to most activities will require reservations. Visit ottawa. ca/recreation for more information on activities, locations, facility and rink rentals, reservations and COVID-related protocols and restrictions. Skating on outdoor refrigerated rinks will continue by reservation only, with a maximum capacity of 25 skaters. Other recreation and arts programming and activities will be announced in the coming weeks.
COMMUNITY OUTDOOR RINKS
The Ottawa Public Health directive keeps outdoor skating rink capacity at 25 skaters and 12 for puddle rinks. With non-contact sports scrimmages and play permitted, skaters may bring hockey sticks and equipment on the ice as long as rink capacity and physical distancing requirements are observed. Masks must be worn within 15 metres of the edge of the rink and are highly recommended while skating.
SLEDDING HILLS
The capacity at gathering points at the top and bottom of sledding hills will remain at a maximum of 25 people, and two-metre physical distancing must be maintained at all times.
FACILITY RENTALS
Select city rental spaces will be available to accommodate a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, provided the space allows for physical distancing of at least two metres.
COUNTER SERVICES
In-person services will reopen on Feb. 22, but clients can start reserving appointments as of Feb. 16.
SERVICE OTTAWA — CLIENT SERVICE CENTRES AND BUILDING CODE SERVICES
City hall and Ben Franklin Place (100 Centrepointe Dr.) client service centres and building code services counters will be open by appointment only. Visit ottawa.ca for the list of in-person service offerings. Residents must make an appointment for the client service centre by using the online booking tool on ottawa. ca. Residents without internet access can reserve times by calling 3-1-1 and choosing option six. Requests for same-day appointments
will be subject to availability. Building code services will continue to support application submissions by mail and electronically at buildingpermits@ ottawa.ca.
EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND RENT SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM OFFICE
Limited counter and document drop-off services will be available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all four centres: 370 Catherine St.; Mary Pitt Centre (second floor west, 100 Constellation
Dr.); 2020 Walkley Rd.; and 2339 Ogilvie Rd. For all other services, staff will provide both telephone and email support from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Mary Pitt Centre will be the only location for limited counter and document drop-off services for the rent supplement program, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. The staff will continue to provide telephone and email support on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
BUSINESS LICENSING CENTRE
The business licensing centre at 735 Industrial Ave. will continue operations on Feb. 22 and will offer all categories of business licences and pet registration by appointment. To make an appointment, email businesslicensing@ottawa.ca / permisdentreprise@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2424, extension 12735.
OTTAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCHES
All 28 Ottawa Public Library branches are offering curbside service. The Ottawa Public Library is assessing which services it will be able to offer under the Orange category. Visit BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca for service updates. The website also offers access to digital resources and requests for library items.
CITY ARCHIVES
The city's central archives at the James K. Bartleman Centre at 100 Tallwood Dr. will resume in-person appointments to visit the reference room on Feb. 23. Clients may make reservations beginning Feb. 16 by emailing archives@ottawa.ca or by calling 613-580-2857.
All residential on-street parking restrictions will resume on Feb. 22. Warnings will be handed out Feb. 16 to 21.