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December 23rd: COVID Update Across Canada

Dec 23rd COVID Update

Here’s a look at what’s happening across Canada in the fight against COVID-19 as of December 23rd, 2021.

British Columbia  

New Restrictions come into effect December 22nd and are in place until January 18, 2022

Masks

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

Starting December 22nd, the following restrictions will come in effect

  • No indoor organized gatherings of any size, including weddings, receptions and parties.
  • Bars and nightclubs closed.
  • Maximum of six people per table at a restaurant, pub or cafe.
  • Gyms, fitness centres and dance studios must be shut down. 
  • Seated events like concerts, sports games, movie theatres are down to 50 per cent capacity.

Alberta 

New measures come into effect December 24th

Masks

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

Starting December 24th, the following restrictions will come in effect

Indoor entertainment, event and recreation facilities

  • Indoor facilities that participate in the Restrictions Exemption Program:
    • Limit capacity to:
    • 50% if venue seats more than 1,000 people
    • 500 people if venue seats between 500 and 1,000 people
    • No food or drink consumption in seated audience settings or during intermissions in the above mentioned venues
  • Indoor facilities that do not participate in the Restrictions Exemption Program:
    • Limit capacity to 1/3 fire code occupancy
  • Indoor private social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people 18 and older 
  • Seated events like concerts, sports games, movie theatres are down to 50 per cent capacity.

Retail and shopping malls are not eligible for the Restrictions Exemption Program as public access is necessary for daily living. Therefore these restrictions apply:

  • Capacity restricted to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
  • Attendees must be with household members only, or 2 close contacts if they live alone.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s current public health order has been extended to January 31, 2022

Masks

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

Saskatchewan has no new restrictions or closures

Manitoba 

New Restrictions come into effect December 22nd and are in place until January 11, 2022

Masks 

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

  • Private indoor gatherings with vaccinated people are limited to household members plus 10 other people.
  • Gyms, movie theatres and restaurants — where people have already been required to be vaccinated — are limited to half capacity.

Ontario

New Restrictions came into effect December 18th

Masks

Mask Mandate remains in effect for indoor settings

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

  • Maximum gathering size of 10 people indoors, outdoors 25.
  • Capacity limit of 50% for most indoor settings (Restaurants, bars, personal care, retailers, malls).
  • Sale of alcohol restricted after 10 PM

Quebec 

Masks

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

  • Capacity limits of 50%:
  • Retailers: same formula as in Spring of 2021 – 1 person per 20 m2.
  • Restaurants: maximum of 10 people per table or occupants from 3 residences.
  • Social distancing of 2 metres for employees and customers.
  • Mandatory teleworking.
  • Bars, cinemas, theatres, gyms, and spas must close.
  • Restaurants are limited to operating between 5am and 10pm. Takeout is available after 10pm.
  • Mandatory wearing of masks in workplaces.
  • Maximum of 10 people at private meetings (hotels, etc.).
  • Office parties, karaoke and dance are prohibited.
  • All schools are closing December 21, 2021 with the exception of universities for exams that cannot be postponed.
  • Return to classes is postponed to January 10, 2022.
  • Childcare services will continue to be open until the December 24, 2021.
  • Primary schools remain accessible for testing and vaccination.
  • CPEs and daycares remain open.

Nunavut

Masks

Masks are currently mandated in all indoor public spaces

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

Nunavut has no new restrictions or closures.

Yukon

Masks

Masks are currently mandated in all indoor public spaces.

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

Yukon has no new restrictions or closures.

Northwest Territories  

Masks

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces.

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

Northwest Territories has no new restrictions or closures.

Newfoundland

Currently in Alert level 2 

Masks 

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces.

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

Newfoundland has no new restrictions or closures.

Nova Scotia

New restrictions take effect December 22nd

Masks 

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

  • Places like retail businesses, malls, museums, libraries and recreation and leisure can operate at 50% capacity with physical distancing
  • Fitness and recreation facilities can operate at 50% capacity with physical distancing
  • Food establishments and liquor licensed establishments can operate at 50% capacity, dine in stops at 11 p.m., must have barriers between tables
  • Indoor gatherings limited to 10 people.

New Brunswick

Moving to tighter level 2 restrictions December 27th

Masks

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

  • Indoor gatherings limited to 10 people
  • Restaurants, retail stores, malls, businesses, gyms, salons and spas, and entertainment centres operate at 50% capacity.

PEI 

Masks

Masks are currently mandated in all public indoor spaces.

Closures / Reduced Gatherings

PEI has no new restrictions or closures.