Ottawa Public Health Announces New Capacity Limits

**Both Ottawa Public Health and the Provincial Government have introduced new restrictions today. We remind Ottawa residents that whatever setting they are in they must follow the more restrictive measures for their area. OPH will be doing a closer review of what was just announced by the Province.**

Ottawa Public Health announced new capacity limits and public health measures detailed in a Letter of Instruction from Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa Public Health’s Medical Officer of Health and are effective Monday, December 20 at 12:01 am. The enhanced measures include:

  • Indoor capacity is limited to 50% or less if needed to maintain at least two metres between people
  • Capacity and distancing requirements are applicable regardless of whether the establishment checks proof of vaccination
  • Signage must be posted in a conspicuous location, visible to the public, that states the capacity limits

These measures apply to a broad range of establishments, including those below. A full list is in the Letter of Instruction.

  • Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
  • Restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
  • Personal care services, such as hair salons and barbershops, manicure and pedicure salons, aesthetician services, piercing services, tanning salons, spas and tattoo studios
  • Indoor recreational amenities and indoor facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, including areas for spectators within those facilities
  • Indoor clubhouses affiliated with outdoor recreational amenities
  • Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas
  • Museums, galleries and similar attractions
  • Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
  • Indoor fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals and similar events
  • Faith-based organizations and places of worship 

Establishments that serve food or beverages must follow these additional regulations:

  • Patrons must be seated at all times when eating or drinking
  • No more than six people seated per table

In addition to the regulations outlined in the Letter of Instruction, Ottawa Public Health also strongly recommends these measures:

  • Keep indoor gatherings in private settings as small as possible
  • Limit the total number of people you come in close contact with this holiday season
  • Suspend indoor sports and team play temporarily
  • Do not attend large venues, and if you choose to do this, wear a mask at all times
  • Employers should advise their employees to work from home if possible, as was recently recommended by the Province
  • If you are a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case but have not yet been contacted by public health, please self-isolate and get tested
  • If you are waiting for test results, isolate – do not attend school, sports or any extracurricular activities
Ontario Government to Introduce Capacity limits

In response to Omicron and reduce opportunities for close contact as the province gets as many vaccines into arms as possible, Ontario is introducing a 50 per cent capacity limit in the following indoor public settings:

  • Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments and strip clubs;
  • Personal care services;
  • Personal physical fitness trainers;
  • Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies);
  • Shopping malls;
  • Non-spectator areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g. gyms);
  • Indoor recreational amenities;
  • Indoor clubhouses at outdoor recreational amenities;
  • Tour and guide services; and
  • Photography studios and services; and
  • Marinas and boating clubs.

Businesses or facilities will also need to post a sign stating the capacity limits that are permitted in the establishment. In addition, to mitigate COVID-19 transmission that can occur at informal social gatherings, the province is also reducing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

More information:


Chamber Network Calls for Long-Term Plan and Enhanced Supports Amid Concerns about Omicron

Today, Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement:

Newly imposed restrictions intended to control the spread of the Omicron variant but that also inhibit business activity should be met with targeted relief and proportionate support programs, loan forgiveness, and extensions on payment terms, particularly for small businesses who are still struggling at this time. Provincially, many targeted supports ended months ago, and federally, they have been greatly reduced.

While we appreciate the rapid rise of Omicron was unexpected as we were all looking forward to Ontario’s reopening, we call on the Government of Ontario to reduce uncertainty in the business community and develop a long-term plan outlining how the province intends to support those impacted by new public health measures. Given the rapidly shifting backdrop, clarity and transparency on specific metrics that inform the government’s decision to impose or ease restrictions are paramount for business confidence and continuity.
Ontario Holiday Testing Blitz

As part of the government’s enhanced testing strategy, starting today up to two million rapid tests will be provided free of charge at pop-up testing sites in high-traffic settings such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets, public libraries and transit hubs. The government will also make take-home rapid tests available at select LCBO stores, starting with the busiest stores this week and with more stores being added in the coming days.

Rapid tests to be available at seven LCBO locations across Ottawa:

  • Ottawa - Orleans Innes & Tenth Line
  • Ottawa - Rideau & King Edward
  • Ottawa - Bank & Walkley
  • Ottawa - Carling & Woodroffe (Fairlawn Plaza)
  • Ottawa - Nepean Strandherd & Greenbank (Barrhaven)
  • Ottawa - Gloucester Blair & Ogilvie
  • Ottawa - Nepean Hunt Club & Merivale (Nepean Crossroads)

The allocation of COVID-19 rapid tests kits are starting to be available at the select stores, as received. The LCBO expect most stores will receive supplies Friday, December, 17 but cannot confirm exact arrival times at each location and do expect the limited supply to go quickly. 
Ontario Accelerating Booster Dose Rollout

Starting December 20, 2021, individuals aged 18 and over will be eligible to schedule their booster dose appointment three months after a second dose. In addition, starting today, individuals aged 50 and over who have already booked their appointment at an interval of six months can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre to re-book for an earlier date at the three-month interval and can change their appointment through Ontario’s booking portal starting on Monday.

  • COVID-19 vaccine is available for those eligible for first, second or third doses at any community clinic, pop-up clinic, or neighbourhood vaccination hub in Ottawa during their hours of operation. Appointments for 3rd doses are required. Drop-in availability is limited to those receiving 1st or 2.


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