Fewer restrictions for Windsor-Essex residents as Ontario moves into Step 2

Windsor, Ont. -

Windsor-Essex residents have fewer restrictions Wednesday as Ontario moved into Step 2 of its reopening plan.

One of the biggest changes with Step 2 is that personal care services where face coverings can be worn at all times, such as haircuts, can now reopen at 25 per cent capacity.

Windsor area businesses are getting a couple of extra days of looser restrictions as Step 2 was originally slated for July 2.

After three months of being closed, Cabello Hair salon owner Rob Cory was happy to get back to work.

“It’s not our first rodeo,” he says. “It’s been a couple of times now. So It was actually pretty easy. We knew how to get things together ready for probably a week after lockdown, we were ready to come back.”

Cory says they’re hoping to have moved out of shutdowns for good.

“We’re hoping not to get shut down again,” he says. “So as long as we keep in line do what the government says and hopefully things stay open for the long haul and get rid of these (masks) some day and get back to normal.”

Rob Cory, owner and hair stylist at Cabello Hair, with client Rosa Liburdi in Windsor, Ont. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (Alana Hadadean/CTV Windsor)

Nail salons also officially reopened Wednesday, Spax Nail Salon manager Brandi Allen says they’ve been getting hundreds of appointment requests.

“From Thursday until last night at 9 p.m., we booked 730 appointments between our two salons,” she says. “That’s scheduled over the next 30 days, but the majority of them are booked in the next 7 days.” 

Customers are happy to be back in the salon with fresh nails to get into summer mode.

“Refreshing feels refreshing. A good start after a long hibernation,” says Michelle Carmichael who was getting her nails done with her daughter Wednesday.

“It’s pretty exciting,” says Krista Carmichael. “It’s good timing to kick off the summer. Nice to come back and do things like the again.”

Clients receiving pedicures at Spax Nail Bar in Windsor, Ont. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (Alana Hadadean/CTV Windsor)

In order to move into the less restrictive zone, the province set a vaccination target of 70 per cent of adults with one dose and 20 per cent fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Another major change in Step 2 is that outdoor sports games and events can welcome spectators at 25 per cent capacity.

Indoor dining and gyms are not allowed to reopen until Step 3, which the province indicated could be around July 21.Step 2 - Roadmap to Reopen (Courtesy Government of Ontario)

CHANGES UNDER STEP 2 of ONTARIO’S ROADMAP TO REOPENING:

Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 25 people, up from 10 under Step 1

Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to five people

Outdoor dining for up to six people per table

Essential and other select retail permitted at 50 per cent capacity

Non-essential retail capacity at 25 per cent

Stores in shopping malls open, with restrictions

Larger indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services at 25 per cent capacity

Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres

Overnight camps

Personal care services where face coverings can be worn at all times at 25 per cent capacity

Outdoor fitness classes are capped at the number of people who can maintain 3 metres of distance

Public libraries permitted at 25 per cent capacity

Outdoor meeting and event spaces at 25 per cent capacity

Outdoor amusement and water parks at 25 per cent capacity

Outdoor sports games, leagues and events at 25 per cent capacity

Outdoor cinemas, performing arts, live music events and attractions at 25 per cent capacity

Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways at 25 per cent capacity

In order to move into Step 3 Ontario needs to have 70-80 per cent of adults with one dose and 25 per cent fully vaccinated, a threshold that has already been passed.

For more information on the Ontario Roadmap to Reopening follow this link.

With files from CTVNewsLondon.ca’s Justin Zadorsky and CTV Windsor's Alana Hadadean.