Ontario lifts capacity limits for sporting events, concert venues as 573 new COVID-19 cases reported

Ontario reported 573 new cases of COVID-19 and the deaths of 10 more people with the illness on Friday, as major indicators continued to suggest that the fourth wave of the pandemic is slowly but steadily receding in the province.

The seven-day average of daily cases fell to 551, its lowest point since mid-August, while the number of active cases dropped to 4,517 — marking five consecutive days of decreases.

The province announced Friday that it was lifting capacity limits for selected settings, returning them back to 100 per cent capacity for the first time since the pandemic began.

Effective Saturday, Oct. 9, capacity limits will be lifted for:

Proof of vaccination is already required for these settings, and will remain in place. Some outdoor settings with capacity below 20,000 will also have limits lifted. Capacity limits remain in effect for all other settings.

As Raptors and Leafs games will allow full capacity as a result of this announcement, MLSE president and CEO Michael Friisdahl welcomed the province's decision.

"We are overjoyed to see this day arrive when we are able to welcome a full venue to cheer on the Maple Leafs and Raptors," he said. "We are grateful to all levels of government for their partnership in this process and we recognize there will continue to be much work to do together to ensure the safest environment possible for every event attendee and our community."