COVID-19: Socializing and Gatherings

Monitored Events

Gathering limits for organized public events and gatherings in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship and recreational, sporting or performing art events, are as follows:

• Indoor events can host up to 50 people.
• Outdoor events can host up to 100 people.

Unmonitored Events

Gathering limits for certain organized public events and private social gatherings, such as functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas, are as follows:

• Indoor events can host up to 10 people.
• Outdoor events can host up to 25 people.

In any scenario, indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together in order to increase the number of attendees allowed.

Invited to a gathering? Check out Going out? Do it safely! to help you make informed choices about how to socialize during COVID-19. 

If you choose to get together with others, socialize safely:

• Don’t gather with others if you’re sick.
• Keep 2 metres (6 feet) from those outside your household.
• Do not exceed gathering limits.
• Stay outside if you can.
• Wash/sanitize your hands often.
• Don’t touch your face with unclean hands.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Wear a mask.
• If you think you were at risk of exposure to COVID-19, call the Assessment Centre nearest you or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

Your overall health and well-being is important and social interaction is part of that. Use your social network to support your mental health and well being, but be respectful of where other people are at.  

Have a conversation with your friends and family about the risks of interacting and agree on guidelines for safety. Think about how you will respond if the guidelines are not being followed.  Think about how you will decline an interaction you are not comfortable with. Think about how you will respond without judgement if someone declines a visit that they are not comfortable with.

Celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other occasion might look different these days.  You can still get together with those in your household to celebrate milestones. Private social gatherings with those outside your household can include up to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors as long as physical distancing is maintained. Wedding and funeral ceremonies will depend on the venue. Celebrating virtually is an option as well to be able to include extended family and friends.

Here are some ways to make the day memorable if celebrating virtually:

• Hold an online dance party with friends.
• Play pin the tail on the donkey, with virtual loved ones yelling out directions.
• Have friends send video messages, skits or songs.
• Sing to the special person(s) of the day over the phone or video call.

If you decide to participate in a drive-by greeting, please keep these things in mind:

• Refrain from gathering in groups larger than current allowable private social gathering limits to plan the activity.
• Maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres (6 feet) from all people outside of your household both while planning and during the event.
• Be conscious not to obstruct traffic by limiting the number of people and cars involved, and follow all traffic laws.