Fans of live harness racing rejoice: Ontario's racetracks can start to roll out the red carpet for a limited number of spectators starting next week.
With key public health and health care indicators continuing to improve, the provincewide vaccination rate now surpassing the targets outlined in the province’s Roadmap to Reopen, and on the recommendation of the the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is moving the province into Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
“Because of the tireless work of our health care heroes, and the record setting success of our vaccine rollout, we are able to move into Step Two ahead of schedule on June 30 with the support of our public health experts” said Premier Doug Ford. “We are proceeding safely with the re-opening of our province and will continue to work around the clock until the job is done.”
In order to enter Step Two of the Roadmap, Ontario needed to have vaccinated 70 per cent of adults with one dose and 20 per cent with two doses for at least two weeks, ensuring a strong level of protection against COVID-19. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Ontario’s health care partners, as of June 23, 2021, over 76 per cent of the population in Ontario ages 18 and over have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and over 29 per cent have received their second dose. More than 13.3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered provincewide.
Before entering Step Two, the province also needed to see continued improvement in key public health and health care indicators, including hospitalizations, ICU occupancy and the weekly cases incidence rates. After entering Step One, during the period of June 11 to 17, 2021, the provincial case rate decreased by 24.6 per cent. As of June 22, the number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs is 305, including 10 patients from Manitoba, as compared to 450 two weeks ago. The province expects these positive trends to continue over the coming days before entering Step Two.
“Due to a continued improvement in key indicators, Ontario is ready to enter Step Two of our Roadmap, allowing us to safely and gradually ease public health measures while continuing to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Thank you to the Ontarians who rolled up their sleeves to help us reach this exciting milestone. Every dose administered brings us one step closer to the things we’ve missed, so please sign up to receive the vaccine when it’s your turn.”
One region of Ontario will not enter Step Two: the Region of Waterloo, whose case counts remain among the highest in the province. None of the province's racetracks are located in Waterloo Region, so all racetracks will have the opportunity to welcome back fans next week.
Step Two of the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of more outdoor activities and limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn, with other restrictions in place. This includes, but is not limited to:
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Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways, with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity;
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Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people;
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Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 5 people;
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Essential and other select retail permitted at 50 per cent capacity;
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Non-essential retail permitted at 25 per cent capacity;
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Personal care services where face coverings can be worn at all times, and at 25 per cent capacity and other restrictions;
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Outdoor dining with up to 6 people per table, with exceptions for larger households and other restrictions;
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Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted at up to 25 per cent capacity of the particular room;
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Outdoor fitness classes limited to the number of people who can maintain 3 metres of physical distance;
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Outdoor sports without contact or modified to avoid contact, with no specified limit on number of people or teams participating, with restrictions;
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Overnight camps for children operating in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health;
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Outdoor sport facilities with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity;
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Outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas, with spectators permitted at 25 per cent capacity;
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Outdoor fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals, permitted at 25 per cent capacity and with other restrictions.
According to reports published by The Canadian Press, both Woodbine Mohawk Park and Woodbine Racetrack plan to open for patrons in limited numbers — 25 percent capacity — on their respective Canada Day cards.
"It's obviously exciting for all of our fans, owners and wagering customers to be able to get back to the racetrack," Lawson said in a telephone interview with CP's Dan Ralph. "A big part of horse racing is the live experience of being around the horses and watching the races.
"As great as Woodbine does in terms of simulcasting and broadcasting our product, what people really like and love is being there in person and seeing the air of excitement around the jockeys, the drivers and racing. It's a great experience."
According to the article published by CBC, Lawson indicated that, effective July 1, patio dining will also be offered at Woodbine and Mohawk to those with reservations, and patrons must follow government requirements regarding the proper wearing of masks to enter the facility or once leaving the table.
"We're working out ... logistics now and will aim to communicate them in the next couple of days," Lawson said.
(with files from the Province of Ontario)