Social gathering limits reduced in Hamilton and across the province to help stop the spread of COVID-19

Hamilton, ON – Today the provincial government announced that, in a continued effort to manage the spread of COVID-19, the lowering of gathering limits that had been originally announced for Toronto, Peel and Ottawa on Thursday, have now been expanded to the entire province, including Hamilton, under provincial orders effective immediately for at least the next 28 days.

The amended order sets a new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored social gathering or organized public event to:

• 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
• 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100)

The new limits will not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres or banquet halls, gyms, and recreational sporting or performing art events. Existing rules, including Public Health and workplace safety measures, for these businesses and facilities continue to be in effect. 

Indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together. Gatherings of 35 (25 outdoors and 10 indoors) are not permitted.

Hamilton Municipal Law Enforcement’s (MLE) focus this weekend will be on education of the new provincial orders/limits.

For more information: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/58449/ontario-limits-the-size-of-unmonitored-and-private-social-gatherings-across-entire-province

“I support the provincial government’s decision to expand the limit on social gatherings to the entire province. I urge all Hamiltonians to stay the course and heed Public Health and provincial measures and guidelines in place to keep us all safe. We all need to continue to do our part to protect our collective health and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.” - Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Additional Resources

• hamilton.ca/coronavirus
• hamilton.ca/reopens
• covid-19.ontario.ca
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]