On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that immediate family of Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to enter into Canada.
Those entering Canada will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
Canada originally closed its borders in March, first to everyone except Americans and then to the U.S. as well, separating many who live on different sides of the border.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Monday that a numbers of regions in Ontario will enter Stage 2 of loosening COVID-19 restrictions this week, which includes the reopening of patios, hairdressers and malls.
The government has issued the following information about Stage 2:
Effective Friday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m., the province will increase the limit on social gatherings from five to 10 people across the province, regardless of whether a region has moved to Stage 2. Additionally, all places of worship in Ontario will also be permitted to open with physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers.
- Outdoor dine-in services at restaurants, bars and other establishments, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties
- Select personal and personal care services with the proper health and safety measures in place, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons
- Shopping malls under existing restrictions, including food services reopening for take-out and outdoor dining only
- Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, as well as tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries
- Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools
- Beach access and additional camping at Ontario Parks
- Camping at private campgrounds
- Outdoor-only recreational facilities and training for outdoor team sports, with limits to enable physical distancing
- Drive-in and drive-through venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation, such as art installations
- Film and television production activities, with limits to enable physical distancing
- Weddings and funerals, with limits on social gatherings to 10 people
The province will soon release more details on:
- Child care
- Summer camps
- Post-secondary education pilots to help people graduate
- Training centres
- Public transit
Public Health Ontario reported 243 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, along with 24 deaths and 240 new recoveries.
Ontario is also getting ready for patio season by removing some regulations and restrictions on bars and restaurants.Measures announced today will let licensed establishments set up a new patio or expand an existing patio without the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario requiring an application or fee.
Teachers and parents in Ontario have both questioned the real value of report cards in such an unusual school year.
Some changes to the legal system are in place during Ontario's extension of its COVID-19 emergency order. SooToday's Darren Taylor has that story.
In local news, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reminding all boaters that crossing the border for recreation or tourism is currently prohibited.
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from Algoma Public Health:
- 8,123 tested
- 21 positive
- 7,672 negative
- 549 pending
- 0 deceased
- 21 resolved
Total confirmed cases by area of residence:
- 17 in Sault Ste. Marie and area, with evidence of community spread
- 1 in central and east Algoma
- 3 in Elliot Lake and area
- 0 in north Algoma
