What moving to red zone means for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

A change in the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph health care region to reclassify it from an orange to red zone onthe province's COVID-19 response framework would further restrictsocial gatherings, limit religious service size, reduce restaurant capacity, alter personal care services and close movie theatres.

Under the red zone rules:

• Social gatherings would belimited to five people indoors, 25 people outdoors.
• Religious services (including weddings and funerals) would be limited to 30 per cent capacity indoors, with a maximum of 100 people outdoors.
• Restaurants would be limited to 10 patrons seated for indoor dining, with a maximum of four people per table and space either two meters apart or separated by a barrier. Patrons must answer screening questions when they arrive. No dancing, singing or live performances are permitted and night clubs can only operate as restaurants or bars with last call at 9 p.m. All must close at 10 p.m.
• Personal care services would be limited to procedures where patrons are masked for the procedure. Steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools must close.
• Movie theatres and performing arts facilities would be forced to close unless being used for a rehearsal or performing a recorded or broadcast performance.

Once in the red zone, local businesses are also required to note more people's contact information in case contact tracing is needed and have safety protocols that outline their plans to keep their workers and the public safe. Enhanced workplace screening is also required.

The rules require a region to remain classified as a red zone for a minimum of 28 days.