June 25, 2021
June 25th is the 176th day of 2021. There are 189 days remaining until the end of the year.
Ontario will officially move to Step 2 of the three-step COVID-19 reopening plan on June 30th.
The move means barbers and salons will be able to open next Wednesday, two days earlier than expected. Capacity limits for retail stores and patios will also expand.
Outdoor gathering capacity will increase to 25 people while indoor gatherings will be allowed with up to five people.
The Region of Waterloo will be delaying its move into the next step due to a surge in the Delta variant in the region.
Here’s what’s allowed in Step 2:
Gatherings
- Maximum 25 people for outdoor gatherings
- Maximum 5 people for indoor gatherings
Religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services (does not apply to receptions)
- Indoor permitted at 25% capacity of the room
- Outdoor permitted with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres
Retail
- Essential retail at 50% capacity
- Non-essential retail at 25% capacity
Liquor stores
- Open at 50% capacity
Restaurants and bars
- Outdoor dining with 6 people per table and other restrictions
- Karaoke permitted with restrictions (outdoor only)
Personal care services
- Open at 25% capacity to maximum of 5 people
- Appointment required
- Services that require the removal of a face covering not permitted
Sports and recreational fitness facilities
- Outdoor sports leagues open
- Training for professional or amateur athletes and/or competitions
- Closed for indoor use except for high-performance athletes and day camps
Personal fitness and training
- Outdoor fitness classes and personal training – with limit on the number of patrons, 3 metres distance
Outdoor recreational amenities
- Open with restrictions
Water features
- Outdoor pools, splash pads, spray pads, whirlpools, wading pools and water slides open
Meeting and event spaces
- Outdoor spaces open at 25% capacity and other restrictions
- Indoor meeting and event spaces closed, with exceptions for certain purposes, including for viewing for potential booking of a future event
One new positive COVID-19 cases reported Thursday by Chatham-Kent Public Health.
There was two recoveries, total active case count locally is down to 3.
There were 296 positive cases across Ontario Thursday. The province reports a test positivity rate of 1.1%, the lowest since September.
The Montreal Canadiens are going to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Habs beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in overtime to take the series in 6 games.
It’s the first time since 1993 that Montreal has made the finals and the last time that a team based in Canada won the Cup. Teams from Vancouver (1994 & 2011), Calgary (2004), Edmonton (2006) and Ottawa (2007) all fell short in the final since Montreal’s triumph 28 years ago.
And here it is, the goal that sends the @CanadiensMTL to the #StanleyCup Final.
Bravo, Artturi Lehkonen (@arsilehkonen)! pic.twitter.com/LfHHQCdfgz
— NHL (@NHL) June 25, 2021
Canada Goose says it will stop making products using fur by the end of next year.
The luxury parka maker will stop buying fur by the end of this year and stop manufacturing with fur no later than the end of 2022.
Canada Goose has faced criticism from some animal rights groups for its use of fur.
FUR FREE. As a brand driven by our purpose, we are committing to a future without fur. In 2021, we will end the purchase of all fur and cease manufacturing with fur in 2022. pic.twitter.com/K0WzJOVIow
— Canada Goose (@canadagoose) June 24, 2021
Kraft Dinner is launching “Flavour Boosts”
There are six new flavour options; poutine, ghost pepper, butter chicken, jalapeno, buffalo wings, or cotton candy flavour packs to elevate your box of KD.
Simply make your box of original KD and stir in the boost if you want to try the new flavours.
Flavour Boosts are available at grocery stores across Canada or by buying them from Kraft’s website.
Our new Poutine Flavour Boost blends cheesy KD with the taste of cheesy poutine. Just make KD, stir in the Flavour Boost and you got what Canada would taste like if you could eat it. https://t.co/AM0oeiWZKC pic.twitter.com/hJJjlReS0w
— Kraft Dinner (@kraftdinner) June 24, 2021