Vaccination and adherence to public health measures key to
Step 3 reopening success

SIMCOE MUSKOKA – As Simcoe Muskoka, along with the rest of the province moved into Step 3 of its three-tiered Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01 a.m. today, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reminding residents of the new requirements that are now in place and the importance of continuing to follow public health measures. 

Under Step 3, more indoor services may reopen with restrictions in place, and size limits for social gatherings and organized public events have increased to up to 100 people outdoors and up to 25 people indoors. Indoor dining may resume with added requirements such as active screening of all dine-in patrons along with capacity limited to a
number that can physically distance. Retailers may open with a sign posted indicating their capacity limit to ensure physical distancing. Face masks should be worn if physical distancing indoors or outdoors cannot be maintained with people outside your household. Other indoor services and activities may resume with certain capacity limits, physical distancing and mask requirements including faith-based services, sport and fitness facilities, museums, theatres, cinemas and other entertainment venues. 

“As we enter Step 3, it is still vital that we continue to follow the precautions necessary to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 in our area,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, Medical Officer of Health for SMDHU. “To that end, I urge
all individuals 12 years of age and older to get their full two-dose series of COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as they
are able.”

SMDHU reminds the public to follow current public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including staying home when feeling ill, maintaining a physical distance of at least 2 metres from those living outside of your household, wearing a mask indoors and outdoors when physical distancing is not possible, covering your cough, and washing your hands regularly.

To learn more about public health safety measures and reopening guidelines under Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen
Step 3, visit smdhu.org/covid19.