The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Measures Table, is reducing limits on the number of people permitted to attend unmonitored and private social gatherings across the entire province.

The new limit on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering across the province is:

• 10 people at an indoor event or gathering (previous limit of 50); or
• 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering (previous limit of 100).

Unmonitored and private social gatherings include functions, parties, dinners, gatherings, BBQs or wedding receptions held in private residences, backyards, parks and other recreational areas.

Indoor and outdoor events and gatherings cannot be merged together. Gatherings of 35 (25 outdoors and 10 indoors) are not permitted. There is a minimum fine of $10,000 for organizers of gatherings exceeding these limits and a minimum $750 fine for attending.

The safety of students, neighbours and community partners is Wilfrid Laurier University’s priority. The university works closely with Public Health officials, local police, and emergency services partners and strongly encourages students to make smart choices and engage in safe and respectful behaviours. Laurier expects all our community members to respect and follow public health guidelines, and we continue to discourage all students from attending events that contravene directives from the province of Ontario and rules set by public health. We expect our students to be good members of the Laurier community and good neighbours in the communities in which we operate. 

The province’s new limits do not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms, places of worship, recreational sporting or performing art events. Existing rules, including public health and workplace safety measures for these businesses and facilities, continue to be in effect.

Premier Doug Ford and Deputy Premier and minister of Health Christine Elliott made the announcement Sept. 19 following growth in the number of COVID-19 cases in the province. For further details, please see the government’s news release.