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Return of spectators to Ontario sports arenas still over a month away

Return of spectators to Ontario sports arenas still over a month away

Ontario’s plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions won’t have any immediate impact on fan capacity for hockey and basketball teams operating in the province.

The Ontario government announced today that some indoor venues, including movie theatres and gyms, will be able to operate at 50 per cent capacity starting Jan. 31.

However, large sports arenas and concert venues will be only allowed 500 people or half capacity, whichever is lower, until Feb. 21. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said at a press conference Thursday that capacity will be increased to 50 per cent at that time, with limits being completely lifted March 14.

The cap of 500 is a lower number than what is already permitted in Ontario. The government limited capacity at large indoor venues at the lesser of 50 per cent or 1,000 people starting Dec. 31 as the province dealt with a surge of cases fuelled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

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