TORONTO --
Most business across York Region reopened this morning as the COVID-19 hotspot was formally placed in the red zone of Ontario’s tiered system for public health restrictions.
York Region has been under some form of a lockdown since Dec. 14 but a number of restrictions were lifted as of midnight, allowing retail stores to reopen and bars and restaurants to serve up to 10 customers at a time indoors.
A wide swath of other businesses, including gyms and hair salons, are also permitted to operate in red zones with restrictions.
The gradual reopening of York comes with both Toronto and Peel Region remaining under a stay-at-home order and strict lockdown until at least March 8. Public health officials in those communities have asked for the additional restrictions due to concerns around the increased infectiousness of new COVID-19 variants.