Photo by Darien Funk
The region of Kitchener-Waterloo has officially entered into stage three of reopening the province. But what exactly does that mean for our everyday lives?
Well, there are a few major changes to the regulations we’ve been following. For one, the amount of people legally allowed to attend a social gathering has increased.
Outdoor gatherings will increase to a maximum of one hundred people while indoor gatherings will hit capacity at fifty.
By no means is this an invitation to start hosting raging parties in the unfurnished basement of the duplex you’ve been subletting for eighty dollars. Social distancing of two metres is still an expectation for anyone outside your household or immediate social circle.
The leniency of this regulation is more targeted towards restaurants and small businesses—not your frat boy egos. Remember masks and distancing are still a necessity, regardless of if your high school paramour is back in town.
Along with restaurants and bars, the new regulations will also apply to casinos, concerts and live entertainment, sports and recreation facilities, recreational courses and classes—such as tutoring and music lessons—movie theatres as well as sporting events.
Thousands of Canadians are now able to return to work, lessening the financial strain put on our government and broadening our economy.
For many, this is a social revelation as people are now able to attend athletic events, return to the gym and continue feeding their gambling habits. It provides a healthy break from our often monotonous days of lying in bed and aimlessly strolling about the mall.
But regardless of the progressive state of Ontario, there still remain many establishments that are still considered high-risk by the Canadian government.
Amusement and water parks, overnight camps, karaoke bars, saunas and steam rooms and buffet-style food services are all considered not yet safe to open.
The Ontario government has also detailed certain social habits that are advised against. Activities such as deliberate or prolonged physical contact during sporting events, table games at casinos as well as dancing at restaurants and bars—just imagine if Kevin Bacon was Canadian.
Yes, regulations are slowly loosening but that does not mean we are able to function as we did before the pandemic—not just yet. There are countless social practices that should still be performed with great caution, if at all.
Bar hopping, hookups and senseless partying are all terrific ways of transmitting the virus. You can go a few more months without getting plastered and believe me, all nine hundred of your tinder boys aren’t just vanishing into thin air.
Thanks to Canada’s well-functioning care system and front line workers, we are now able to slowly transition into a state that’s vaguely recognizable to regular life.
But it’s important to remember that every one of these regulatory upliftings is a privilege to us. It is our responsibility to respect the implementation of governance put in place to keep our population safe and healthy.
This is not an excuse to behave as if there is no longer an extremely contagious virus circulating our country—by no means is that the case. Many remain at high risk and must go about their days with immense caution. All I ask is that you act in their aid.
Be considerate of those you might not consider during your average night on the patio. Keep to your circle, wear a mask and respect the regulations put in place to keep all of us safe
