OTTAWA -- The Ontario and Quebec governments have put measures in place in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions cover a range of activities, including social gatherings at home, bar and restaurant capacity limits, alcohol serving hours and the number of people at church.
As of Saturday, Oct. 10, Ottawa will be moved to a modified Stage 2 for the next 28 days. The measures include indoor dining at restaurants and bars closing, and gyms and cinemas closed.
As of Sunday, Oct. 11, Gatineau and the MRC des Collines de l'Outaouais will be moved to Quebec's highest COVID-19 alert level, restricting private gatherings and closing dining rooms, gyms and cinemas.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the COVID-19 rules and regulations in Ottawa and Gatineau.
Face masks
Ottawa
Ottawa's Temporary Mandatory Mask Bylaw states a face mask must be worn in all indoor public spaces, including malls and City of Ottawa buildings. Masks are mandatory in the common areas of condominium and apartment buildings.
Masks are also mandatory on OC Transpo buses and the O-Train.
Gatineau
Quebec says wearing a mask or face covering that covers the nose and mouth is mandatory in enclosed or partially enclosed public places for people age 10 and over.
Wearing a mask or face covering that covers the nose and mouth is also mandatory on public transit for people age 10 and over.
Masks are also mandatory to access or move around a lobby, reception area or elevator in an office building other than an apartment building.
Wearing a mask is recommended when accessing or moving around in common areas of apartment and condo buildings.
Participants in demonstrations must wear a mask or face covering at all times.
Social gatherings
Ottawa
Ontario's COVID-19 guidelines limit the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering indoors or outdoors in Ottawa to:
- 10 people at an indoor event or gathering
- 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering
(Indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together)
Ontario's limits on social gatherings in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreation areas includes parties, dinners, gatherings, barbecues and wedding receptions.
Gatineau
Private gatherings are prohibited and visitors from outside one's household are not allowed, with exceptions for caregivers, planned labour, or a single visitor for those who live alone.
As of Oct. 11, Gatineau and the MRC des Collines de l'Outaouais are in "Level 4-Alert" (red level).
"Level 4–Maximum Alert includes targeted and additional more restrictive measures that could extend to prohibiting non-essential activities in situations where risk cannot be sufficiently contained, while avoiding the generalized confinement that was experienced during the first wave of the pandemic as much as possible," the Quebec government says.
Other parts of the Outaouais remain in "Level 3-Alert" (orange level). "Gatherings must be restricted to a limited number of people in accordance with the measures in force in your region," the government says. "You are asked to avoid unnecessary social contact, for example: gathering with family or friends, weddings, etc."
The use of a mask or face covering is strongly recommended when it is not possible to keep a distance of two metres from other people.
Restaurants
Ottawa
As of Oct. 10 at 12:01 a.m., indoor food and drink service in restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments is prohibited.
Patios are allowed to stay open. No alcohol sales after 11 p.m. Restaurants patios must close at midnight and remain closed until 5 a.m., except for takeout and delivery.
No more than six patrons per table
Operators must ensure patrons lining up or congregating outside of their establishment maintain physical distancing. Businesses must collect the name and contact information for each patron.
Gatineau
As of 12:01 a.m. Oct. 11, all dining rooms in restauraunts are closed. Businesses can remain open for takeout and delivery.
Bars, nightclubs
Ottawa
As of Oct. 10 at 12:01 a.m., indoor food and drink service in restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments is prohibited.
Patios are allowed to stay open. No alcohol sales after 11 p.m. Bars and nightclub patios must close at midnight.
Operators must ensure patrons lining up or congregating outside of their establishment maintain physical distancing and must collect the name and contact information for each patron.
Strip clubs in Ontario must remain closed.
Gatineau
As of 12:01 a.m. Oct. 11, all bars, brasseries and taverns are closed. Microbreweries may remain open but cannot service food and drink inside.
Gyms and fitness centres
Ottawa
As of Oct.10 at 12:01 a.m, indoor gyms and fitness centres must close for at least 28 days.
Gatineau
As of Oct. 11 at 12:01 a.m., all physical fitness rooms and centres are closed.
Movie Theatres
Ottawa
As of Oct. 10 at 12:01 a.m., movie theatres must close for at least 28 days.
Gatineau
As of Oct. 11 at 12:01 a.m, all movie theatres are closed.
Places of Worship
Ottawa
Places of worship in Ottawa and across Ontario are permitted to open with physical distancing measures in place and attendance limited to no more than 30 per cent of the building capacity.
Gatineau
As of Oct. 11, Gatineau is on "Level 4 Maximum Alert" (red level). Places of worship and funerals are limited to a maximum of 25 people and a registry of attendance must be kept.
Public venue, halls and audiences
Ottawa
As of Oct. 10 at 12:01 a.m., casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments, performing arts centres and venues must close.
Spectator areas in racing vehicles must close.
Interactive exhibits or exhibits with high risk of personal contact in museums, galleries, zoos, science centres, landmarks, etc. must close.
Gatineau
As of Oct. 11 at 12:01 a.m., activities organized in a public setting indoors or outdoors is prohibited, except for worship and funeral services, which is capped at a maximum of 25 people.
Protests and demonstrations are still permitted but attendees must wear masks.
Concert halls, auditoriums, museums, theatres, and casinos are closed.
Libraries are closed, except for those in schools, but they may still keep lending desks open.
All organized sports and recreation activities are suspended. Indoor sports facilities may remain open for individual activities, but dressing rooms may not be used or accessed, except to use the washroom. No competitions are allowed.
