Welcome back!

Starting this Friday area residents will be able to finally return to their favourite local pubs and patios again.

The Ontario government said it is reopening on June 11, three days ahead of schedule for the loosening of retail and outdoor activities.

Merchants love the move and have been preparing and restocking their stores after more than a year of emergency closures, reduction of hours or staff layoffs due to COVID-19.

“It has been a long time and we cannot wait to open up again,” says the pleased owner of The Kabob House, at 2977 Lake Shore Blvd. W.  “We miss our customers and want them to return.”

The restaurant owner says the openings will draw more residents to the business area to shop, and buy his shwarmas.

Phase 1 allows for changes like larger outdoor gatherings, patio dining with up to four people and non-essential retail to open at 15 per cent capacity. Outdoor religious services, group exercise and day camps for children can also begin again, with limitations and health measures in place.

“As we begin to enjoy the benefits of the first step in our roadmap, like meeting friends on a patio or visiting your favourite local store, please do so safely by continuing to follow all public health guidelines,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.

As of Sunday, more than 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in Ontario. About 61.2 per cent of the total population, or 72 per cent of those aged 18 and older, have now had at least one shot.

The government and retiring Chief Medical Officer of Health David Williams had set a threshold of at least 60 per cent of adults with a first shot before moving ahead with the start of reopening.

Here’s a list of what is allowed:

– Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 10 people.

– Outdoor religious services and ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres.

– Indoor religious services and ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted at up to 15 per cent capacity of the particular room.

– Non-essential retail permitted at 15 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold.

– Essential and other select retail permitted at 25 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold.

– Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households.

– Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training to be permitted with up to 10 people.

– Day camps for children permitted to operate in a manner consistent with the safety guidelines for COVID-19 produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

– Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks, and short-term rentals.

– Concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open outdoors for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance with no more than 10 performers, among other restrictions.

– Outdoor horse racing tracks and motor speedways permitted to operate without spectators.

– Outdoor attractions such as zoos, landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens with capacity and other restrictions.

Ontario will remain in Step 1 for at least 21 days before moving on to Step 2 of the reopening plan.