Step One vs. Yellow Zone: A look at COVID-19 restrictions in Ottawa and Gatineau
The Quebec government further relaxes COVID-19 restrictions in Gatineau and western Quebec today, allowing indoor gatherings and bars, breweries and taverns to reopen.
The Outaouais is one of ten regions across Quebec moving to the "Level 2 – Early Warning" yellow zone.
Under the yellow zone restrictions, indoor gatherings are permitted with members of up to two households. A maximum of eight people from different households or all the occupants from two households are allowed to gather outdoors. Bars, taverns and brasseries are also allowed to reopen at 50 per cent capacity, but singing and dancing remains prohibited.
As Gatineau enters the "Level 2 – Early Warning" zone, Ottawa is spending its first week in Step One of Ontario's COVID-19 reopening plan. In Ottawa, outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are permitted, bar and restaurant patios are open and non-essential businesses are open at 15 per cent capacity.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the different rules in Ottawa and Gatineau as the COVID-19 restrictions ease.
Ottawa: Ottawa is in Step One of Ontario's three step Roadmap to Reopen plan.
Gatineau: Gatineau is in the Level 2 – Early Warning (yellow) zone
SOCIAL GATHERINGS
Ottawa
- Indoor gatherings: Prohibited
- Outdoor gatherings: Social gatherings and organized public events for up to 10 people are permitted.
Gatineau
- Indoor gatherings: Limited to the occupants of two households
- Outdoor gatherings: Maximum of eight people from different households or all occupants from two households
A party is seen in an image from shutterstock.com
INTERPROVINCIAL TRAVEL
Ottawa
The Ontario government has imposed a non-essential travel ban on travel between Ontario and Quebec. The restrictions are scheduled to end on June 16.
Gatineau
The Quebec government says travel between regions and cities is "not recommended, but it is possible."
Quebec says its border between Quebec and Ontario is also closed to non-essential travel.
A driver shows identification to an Ottawa police officer as a checkpoint as vehicles enter the province from Quebec Monday April 19, 2021 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
RELIGIOUS SERVICES, RITES OR CEREMONIES, INCLUDING WEDDING SERVICES AND FUNERAL SERVICES
Ottawa
- Indoors: 15 per cent capacity of the room is permitted
- Outdoors: Permitted with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of two metres
Gatineau
- A maximum of 250 participants are allowed in a place of worship.
- Weddings and funerals in places of worship limited to 50 people
BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Ottawa
Outdoor dining permitted with four people per table from different households
Indoor dining rooms remain closed
Gatineau
Restaurants: Open (including patios). The occupants of a maximum of two private residences can share the same table
Bars, breweries, taverns: Open with the following restrictions:
- 50 per cent of the maximum capacity stipulated on the liquor licence
- Occupants from maximum two private residences per table
- Customers must remain seated at their table
- Dancing and singing are prohibited
Terrasses are also open.
Mayor Jim Watson raises his glass towards reporters and passersby as he joins his sister Jayne Watson, right, and her husband Peter Froislie on a pub's outdoor patio in Ottawa as part of a photo opportunity to encourage residents to be kind and generous to service workers, on the first day of Ontario's first phase of re-opening amidst the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, on Friday, June 11, 2021. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
RETAIL
Ottawa
- Essential and select retail at 25 per cent capacity and can sell all goods (including discount and big box)
- Non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity
- Retail stores in malls closed unless the stores have a street facing entrance
Gatineau
- All stores open. One person per household recommended
- Shopping malls must ensure adequate supervision of common areas to avoid any gathering or loitering
People line up outside a Lululemon Athletica store in Ottawa, as non-essential retail stores re-open with limited in-store capacity, on the first day of Ontario's first phase of re-opening amidst the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, on Friday, June 11, 2021. (Justin Tang /THE CANADIAN PRESS)
PERSONAL CARE SERVICES
Ottawa
- Closed
Gatineau
- All personal care and esthetic care settings are permitted to open
- Reservations are mandatory for spas and a customer register must be kept.
Protective barriers are placed between hair washing stations at Salon TOK in Gatineau. The salon is one of many that will be allowed to open in Quebec June 1, 2020. (Leah Larocque / CTV News Ottawa)
SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FITNESS FACILITIES, PERSONAL FITNESS AND SPORTS
Ottawa
- Indoor sports and fitness centres are closed
- Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor sports training and outdoor personal training allowed, with 10 patrons maximum
- Outdoor fitness classes allowed with 10 people maximum
Gatineau
- Gyms are open
- Sports and recreational activities permitted in public places in groups of up to 12 people
- Supervised sports and recreational activities may be carried out in groups of no more than 25 individuals. Organized games and matches as well as leagues are permitted, but spectators are not recommended.
CINEMAS
Ottawa
- Indoor cinemas are closed
- Outdoor drive-in movie theatres are allowed to open
Gatineau
- Cinemas are open with a maximum of 250 people
- Eating and drinking permitted
Movie theatre popcorn seen in this generic file photo. (Pixabay / Pexels)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.