Senators, Redblacks can welcome more fans under new Ontario capacity limits
The Senators and Redblacks will be able to have more fans in the stands at games this fall as Ontario expands capacity limits for sporting events, concerts and events.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced expanded capacity limits for some indoor and outdoor settings where proof of COVID-19 vaccine is required.
"With public health and health care indicators currently stable, and proof of vaccination now in effect, we are able to recommend cautiously easing capacity limits in certain settings," said Dr. Moore.
Capacity limits for indoor venues – including sporting events, concerts, theatres, cinemas, event spaces, banquet halls, convention centres and racing venues – will be increased to 50 per cent or 10,000 people, whichever is less. For outdoor event venues where patrons are seated, capacity limits increase to 75 per cent capacity, up to 30,000 people.
“Increasing capacity limits does not mean that we can let our guards down. We must remain cautious and humble in the face of this Delta variant,” said Dr. Moore during a media conference in Toronto.
The new rules mean the Ottawa Senators could host approximately 9,300 fans for their first exhibition game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sept. 29.
The Senators announced several changes regarding seat availability and access for the pre-season games, with capacity capped at 9,300. Certain areas of the venue will provide limited food and beverage offerings. The arena’s 400 level suites and the Ledge Restaurant will be closed. Seats within the 300 level will be limited to those that have purchased those tickets before today..
All fans must be fully vaccinated to attend games at Canadian Tire Centre, and wear masks inside the arena.
"The Senators continue to work with the province of Ontario as we move towards full capacity at CTC, which we continue to aim to achieve by opening night against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 14," said Eugene Melnyk, Senators owner and governor.
Earlier this month, the Senators said they expected to be able to host capacity crowds of 18,652 when the NHL regular season starts next month.
Outdoor sports venues were previously limited to 15,000 spectators in attendance, or 75 per cent of usual, pre-COVID capacity, whichever is less. Indoor sports venues were limited to 1,000 fans under Ontario's COVID-19 guidelines.
The Ottawa Redblacks have been allowed a maximum capacity of 15,000 fans at games at TD Place so far this season. With a capacity of 24,000 fans TD Place, the Redblacks would be allowed to have 18,000 fans for games under the new capacity limits.
For outdoor events venues where patrons stand, capacity limits will increase to up to 75 per cent capacity or 15,000 people, whichever is less.
"This is in recognition of the fact that the risk of transmission is lower because of reduced mobility around the venue," said the Ontario government.
In addition, proof of vaccination will now be required in outdoor settings where the normal maximum capacity is 20,000 people or more to help keep these venues safe for patrons.
CINEMAS, THEATRES, MEETING AND EVENT SPACES
The Ontario government is also expanding capacity limits for indoor settings where proof of vaccination is required, including banquet halls, convention centres, theatres and cinemas.
The new rules will set capacity at up to 50 per cent or 10,000 people for indoor events, whichever is less.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.