by choirsontario

Choirs Ontario seeks to offer the best insight as possible to our membership on the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 gathering restrictions. The following are taken from passages in Government of Ontario press releases and regulations: please consult the requisite regulations and legislation for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Please note that Choirs Ontario assumes no responsibility for the policies and practices of organisations. This note serves solely the purpose of information sharing, and does not act as advice, interpretation, or counsel. Organisations should consult the most up-to-date regulations to ensure their compliance. 

Choirs Ontario strongly urges all in the choral music community to take all prudent steps to ensure the safety and security of all those within the choral music community. We urge all to get vaccinated as we continue the fight against COVID-19.

Latest Public Health Restrictions: January 5, 2022

As of January 5, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. the following measures will be in place for at least 21 days (until January 27) subject to trends in public health and our health system.

Concert venues, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, zoos, science centres , landmarks, historic sites, botanical gardens and similar attractions, amusement parks, waterparks, tour and guide services including boat tours, fairs, rural exhibitions and festivals must operate under the following conditions:

• outdoor open with restrictions (such as masking on rides)
• spectators at seated events at 50 per cent capacity
• outdoor tours and boat tours at 50 per cent capacity
• drive-in and drive through events permitted with restrictions, such as distancing between cars, only permitted to leave a vehicle in limited circumstances, etc.
• indoor areas of concert venues, theatres and cinemas closed except for rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted performance, artistic event or performance, with restrictions

Social gatherings are permitted under the following conditions:

• indoor gatherings limited to five people or fewer

• outdoor gatherings limited to 10 people or fewer

Organized public events are permitted under the following conditions:

• indoor events limited to five people or fewer

• outdoor events have no limits on number of attendees, but face coverings and/or masks must be worn when distancing (two metres or more) cannot be maintained

Weddings, funerals, religious services, rites and ceremonies are permitted under the following conditions:

• indoor services are limited to 50 per cent the capacity of the room
• outdoor services are limited to the number of people who can maintain two metres distance
• drive-in (motor vehicle) services permitted
• social gatherings associated with these services must adhere to the social gathering limits

Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas

24. Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open for the purpose of rehearsing or performing a recorded or broadcasted concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance if they comply with the following conditions:
25. No spectators may be permitted in the concert venue, theatre or cinema.
26. Every performer and other person who provides work for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person, except,
27. if it is necessary for the purposes of the performance or rehearsal that the performers or persons who provide work for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must be closer to each other, or
28. where necessary for the purposes of health and safety.
29. The person responsible for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must,
30. record the name and contact information of every performer and other person who provides work for the concert venue, theatre or cinema who enters an indoor area of the facility,
31. maintain the records for a period of at least one month, and

iii. only disclose the records to a medical officer of health or an inspector under the Health Protection and Promotion Act on request for a purpose specified in section 2 of that Act or as otherwise required by law.

Outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas

25. (1) Outdoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas may open if they comply with the following conditions:
26. Spectators must be seated at all times while watching the concert, event, performance or film.
27. The number of members of the public at a concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema at any one time must not exceed 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity for the concert, event, performance or movie.
28. No member of the public may attend a seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema unless they have made a reservation to do so.
29. No member of the public may be permitted to enter the indoor premises of the concert venue, theatre or cinema, except,
30. to access a washroom,
31. to access an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route,

iii. to engage in retail sales, or

1. as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety.
2. The person responsible for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must post a sign in a conspicuous location visible to the public that states the capacity limits under which the concert venue, theatre or cinema is permitted to operate.

5.1 Every member of the public who is outdoors at a concert, event, performance or movie must wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to any of the exceptions set out in subsection 2 (4) of Schedule 1, or are seated with members of their own household only, and every member of the household is seated at least two metres from every person outside their household.

6. The person responsible for the concert venue, theatre or cinema must prepare a safety plan in accordance with section 3.3 of Schedule 1.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 5.1 of subsection (1), the references to “indoor area” in clauses 2 (4) (i) and (l) of Schedule 1 shall be read as “outdoor area” and, for greater certainty, members of the public are permitted to remove a mask or face covering temporarily to consume food or drink, or as may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety

Mask Mandate for Choristers

4) Where there is any requirement … that a person wear a mask or face covering, the requirement does not apply to a person who,

(f) is performing or rehearsing in a film or television production or in a concert, artistic event, theatrical performance or other performance;

Vaccine Requirements

As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities. This approach focuses on higher-risk indoor public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn and includes:

• Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
• Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
• Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
• Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
• Sporting events; and
• Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas.