TORONTO: The following guidance is intended to help organizers and permit-holders of events and gatherings prepare for reopening while reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Indoor and outdoor events/gatherings covered within this guidance include:
• Concerts and live shows, including performing arts events
• Meeting or event spaces
• Movie theatres/cinemas
• All other organized or spontaneous indoor and outdoor events and social gatherings (e.g. parties, fundraisers, fairs, wedding receptions, funeral receptions). Under the Reopening Ontario Act – Stage 3 Orders, organized public events and gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 50 members of the public/spectators indoors and 100 members of the public/spectators outdoors with the following restrictions[1]:
• Indoor capacity limits apply to events that are fully or partially indoors. Indoor events and gatherings cannot be combined with an outdoor event or gathering to increase the applicable gathering size.
• The number of persons permitted shall be limited so that every member of the public is able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres/six feet from every other person
outside their household or social circle.
• All staff, performers, workers and others providing service for the event/gathering must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres/six feet from every other person, except:
◦ if it is necessary for the performers to be closer to each other for the purposes of the performance or rehearsal;
◦ where necessary to facilitate the purchase of admission, food or beverages; or
◦ where necessary for the purposes of health and safety.
• Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any spectators by at least two metres/six feet, or by an impermeable barrier (e.g. plexiglass) if physical distancing cannot be achieved.
• The gathering limits and physical distancing requirements also apply to organized public events and social gatherings held within private dwellings.
Gathering limit exceptions:
• Indoor gatherings for the purposes of religious services, rites or ceremonies, and wedding ceremonies or funeral services are limited to up to 30% of the venue’s capacity.
◦ Social gatherings associated with the wedding, funeral or religious services, rites or ceremonies (e.g. receptions) must comply with Stage 3 indoor and outdoor gathering limits.
• Drive-in and drive-thru venues are not subject to gathering limits.
All planners, organizers, operators and permit-holders of events/gatherings, regardless of their purpose and size, have a responsibility to assess the risks associated with their event/gathering, and their ability to mitigate these risks.
They are responsible for implementing measures to reduce the risk of infection among all those who participate in their activities (e.g. staff, performers, volunteers, attendees).