Public health measures throughout Canada continue to evolve as governments monitor the highly contagious Omicron variant and its effects on the number of COVID-19 cases. From proof of vaccination requirements to capacity limits, to mask mandates and more — here’s a breakdown of the latest restrictions that food businesses need to know by province and territory.
British Columbia
- Indoor and outdoor dining are allowed provided that there is a maximum of 6 people per table, there are 2 metres or physical barriers between tables, customers stay seated at their own tables, normal liquor service hours are observed and no dancing is permitted.
- Establishments that do not serve full meals such as bars and nightclubs must close.
- Indoor event venues such as a concert, theatre, dance, sports and movie venues can operate at 50 percent capacity. No dancing is permitted.
- Indoor weddings, funeral receptions and sponsored or ticketed parties are not permitted.
- Outdoor organized seated gatherings can operate at 50 percent capacity or a maximum of 5,000 people, whichever is greater.
- Restaurants, cafes, pubs and indoor event venues must check proof of vaccination before allowing entry.
- Masks are mandatory for people aged 5 and up for all indoor public spaces such as grocery stores, indoor event venues, recreation centres and restaurants, pubs and bars when not seated at a table.
Visit the British Columbia government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Alberta
For businesses participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program:
- Restaurants, bars, pubs nightclubs, cafes and indoor events can have a maximum of 10 people per table. People are not permitted to mingle between tables, dance or participate in other interactive activities.
- Establishments with a Class A, C or Special Event liquor licence must stop liquor service at 11 pm and close by 12:30 pm.
- Facilities with a gaming licence, facility licence or Class B licence such as casinos and bingo halls must stop liquor service at 11 pm and stop liquor consumption at 12:30 am.
- No food or drink is permitted for seated audiences at events with 500+ attendees.
- Indoor wedding and funeral receptions are permitted following seating, liquor sale and closure restrictions. The only permitted interactive activity is dancing.
- Large indoor entertainment, event and recreation facilities must operate at a capacity of:
- 50 percent if the venue has a fire occupancy load of over 1,000
- 500 people if the venue has a fire occupancy load of between 500 and 999
- No capacity limit if the venue has a fire occupancy load under 500.
For businesses not participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program:
- Indoor dining is not allowed. Outdoor dining is permitted with up to 6 people per table for one household or 2 close contacts for those living alone. Liquor service must end at 10 pm and liquor consumption must end by 11 pm.
- Indoor event facilities must limit capacity to 1/3 of the fire code occupancy. Attendees can only be with household members or 2 close contacts for those living alone.
- Indoor wedding ceremonies and funeral services can be held for up to 50 people or 50 percent of fire code occupancy, whichever is less. Receptions are not permitted.
- Outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions are permitted for up to 200 people following liquor sales and consumption restrictions.
Masks and physical distancing of 2 metres are mandatory in all indoor public spaces. Retail businesses are limited to 1/3 of the fire code occupancy and individuals must be with household members only or 2 close contacts for those living alone.
Visit the Alberta government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Saskatchewan
- Restaurants providing indoor dining, nightclubs, bars, movie theatres, casinos and other event and entertainment venues must require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test before allowing entry.
- Masks are mandatory for people aged 12 and up in all indoor public spaces such as restaurants, bars, event spaces, movie theatres and grocery stores.
Visit the Saskatchewan government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Manitoba
- Restaurants, licensed businesses and food courts can operate at 50 percent capacity or with a maximum of 250 people, whichever is lower. These businesses can only provide seated service with a maximum of 10 people per table. Proof of vaccination is required for people aged 12 and up. Liquor sales must end at 10 pm.
- Casinos, movie theatres, concert halls, professional sporting venues and other entertainment facilities are limited to 50 percent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less. Proof of vaccination is required.
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings in public spaces that require proof of vaccination can operate at 50 percent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less. This applies to weddings and funerals.
- Indoor gatherings in public spaces that don’t require proof of vaccination are limited to 25 people or 25 percent capacity, whichever is less. This applies to weddings and funerals.
- Outdoor gatherings in uncontrolled public spaces that don’t require proof of vaccination are limited to 50 people.
Visit the Manitoba government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Ontario
- Indoor service for restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other food or drink businesses is closed. Take out, drive through and delivery are permitted. Outdoor service is permitted with a maximum of 10 people per table and customers must remain seated with no dancing or singing allowed.
- Indoor spaces of concert venues, cinemas, theatres and other entertainment venues are closed. Outdoor seated events can operate at 50 percent capacity. Drive-in and drive-through events are allowed with distancing between cars and attendees are only permitted to leave the vehicle in limited circumstances.
- Casinos and other gaming establishments are closed. Outdoor horse and car racing tracks are open at 50 percent capacity with mandatory reservations. Proof of vaccination is required for venues with a usual capacity of 20,000 or more people.
- Indoor-organized public events are limited to a maximum of 5 people. Outdoor organized public events do not have an attendee limit given that masks are worn when physical distancing of 2 or more metres cannot be maintained.
- Indoor wedding and funeral services are permitted at 50 percent capacity and outdoor services are limited to the number of people who can maintain 2 metres of physical distancing. Indoor social gatherings after the service are limited to 5 people and outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people.
- Indoor meeting and event spaces are closed. Outdoor areas can open with a maximum of 10 people per table and individuals must remain seated with no dancing or singing allowed.
Visit the Ontario government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Quebec
- A curfew between 10 pm and 5 am is in place. Quebecers are not permitted to leave their homes during this time except for allowed exceptions such as needing to be at their place of work.
- Only take-out, delivery and drive-through services are permitted at restaurants. Bars, taverns, breweries and casinos are closed. On-site consumption of alcohol is not permitted at distilleries and microbreweries.
- Cinemas, indoor public events and indoor recreation centres are closed. Drive-ins are permitted with a maximum of 5,000 people per show and viewers must stay in their vehicles during the movie or performance.
- Outdoor public events are limited to a maximum of 250 people and a vaccination passport is required.
- Outdoor private events in a public space are limited to a maximum of 50 people and physical distancing is required. Indoor private events in a public space are not permitted.
- Indoor wedding ceremonies and receptions are not permitted. Outdoor ceremonies are allowed for up to 250 people and receptions of up to 50 people.
- Indoor funeral services and viewings are allowed to a maximum of 25 people. Outdoor ceremonies can host up to 250 people.
- Markets, stores and boutiques are closed on Sundays except for restaurant take-out, delivery and drive-through services, grocery store telephone, online and home delivery services, convenience stores, service stations and drugstores. Stores must limit customer traffic to 50 percent capacity.
- Masks are mandatory for people aged 10 and up in all indoor public spaces.
Visit the Quebec government website for a list of all current public health measures.
New Brunswick
- The whole province is currently under Level 2 restrictions.
- Restaurants can operate at 50 percent capacity with physical distancing of 2 metres or physical barriers applied between tables. Proof of vaccination is required and customers must remain seated.
- Entertainment venues can operate at 50 percent capacity with physical distancing of 2 metres applied. Proof of vaccination is required.
- Event venues for public gatherings can operate with a maximum of 150 people or 50 percent capacity, whichever number is less. Individuals must show proof of vaccination and must remain seated and masked at all times except when eating or drinking.
- Retail businesses and shops can operate at 50 percent capacity with physical distancing of 2 metres applied.
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and in outdoor public spaces when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Visit the New Brunswick government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Nova Scotia
- Proof of full vaccination is required for non-essential activities such as going to restaurants, movies and most events with gathering limits.
- Masks are mandatory for people aged 5 and up in indoor public spaces such as restaurants, licensed establishments, event venues, casinos and retail businesses.
- Restaurants and licensed establishments can operate at 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 10 people per table and physical distancing of 2 metres between tables applied. Establishments can serve customers until 11 pm and must close by midnight.
- Businesses are not permitted to host in-person events such as festivals, professional sports and wedding and funeral receptions.
- Wedding and funeral ceremonies hosted at a business can be held at 25 percent capacity with up to 50 people. Physical distancing and masks are required. Receptions are not permitted.
- Movie theatres can operate at 25 percent capacity with up to 50 people. Physical distancing is required and masks must be worn at all times. There must be a designated area for eating and drinking.
- Casinos can operate at 50 percent capacity with physical distancing and mandatory mask requirements in place. Casino Nova Scotia and other establishments that hold a liquor licence can serve food and alcohol until 11 pm and must close by midnight.
Visit the Nova Scotia government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Prince Edward Island
- Proof of vaccination is required to access certain businesses such as restaurants, licensed establishments, concerts and entertainment venues.
- Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces including organized gatherings. They can only be removed when eating or drinking.
- Restaurants and licensed establishments can operate at 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 10 people per table, physical distancing applied between tables and masks required when customers are not eating or drinking. People must be seated when eating or drinking. Food and beverage service must stop at 11 pm and the business must close by midnight.
- Karaoke and dance floors or not permitted.
- Organized gatherings such as concerts, theatres and wedding and funeral ceremonies can be held at 50 percent capacity of the venue for up to a maximum of 50 people. Physical distancing measures apply. Wedding receptions, funeral receptions and wakes or visitations are not permitted.
- Casinos, retail businesses and museums can operate at 50 percent capacity with physical distancing measures applied.
Visit the PEI government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Newfoundland & Labrador
- The whole province is currently under Alert Level 4 restrictions.
- Proof of vaccination is required to access certain businesses and settings such as restaurants, indoor entertainment facilities and entertainment gatherings hosted at a recognized business or organization.
- Masks are required in indoor public spaces even when seated.
- Restaurants can operate at 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 6 people per table and physical distancing applied between tables. Bars, lounges and buffets are closed.
- Cinemas, performance spaces and bingo halls are closed.
- Gatherings for weddings and funerals are permitted for up to 25 percent capacity or 50 people, whichever number is less. Dance floors are not permitted and physical distancing is required.
Visit the Newfoundland & Labrador government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Nunavut
- Restaurants are only open for takeout, with 2 metres of physical distancing between people in line. Bars and non-essential services are closed.
- Indoor gatherings are not permitted. Outdoor gatherings are permitted for up to 5 people.
- Grocery stores are open for 1 shopper per home with physical distancing and masks required.
Visit the Nunavut government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Northwest Territories
- Businesses that primarily serve alcohol such as bars and lounges can have up to 6 people per table with no mingling of guests. High-risk indoor activities such as dancing and singing are not permitted.
- Indoor non-household gatherings are permitted for up to 25 people with physical distancing measures applied.
- Outdoor gatherings are permitted for up to 50 people with physical distancing measures applied.
- Masks are mandatory for people aged 10 and up in all indoor public spaces.
Visit the NWT government website for a list of all current public health measures.
Yukon Territory
- Masks are mandatory for people aged 5 and up for all indoor public spaces and outdoor public spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Indoor areas of restaurants, pubs, bars, breweries, nightclubs and casinos require proof of vaccination and masks except when seated. There is a maximum of 6 people per table, tables must be 2 metres apart and dancing is not permitted. Individuals who do not have proof of vaccination can only access these businesses for take-out services.
- Indoor concerts, theatre, symphony and dance performances, along with movie theatres, can operate at 50 percent capacity or up to 25 people, whichever number is less. Proof of vaccination is required.
- Indoor-organized events such as wedding and funeral receptions can be held at 50 percent capacity or up to 25 people, whichever number is less. Proof of vaccination is required.
- Outdoor organized events such as wedding and funeral receptions can be held for up to 50 people. Proof of vaccination is required.
- Grocery and retail stores can operate at 50 percent capacity. Proof of vaccination is not required.
Visit the Yukon Territory government website for a list of all current public health measures.
View the Canadian Institute of Food Safety’s (CIFS) COVID-19 Resource Page for CIFS Members for checklists, guides, templates and fact sheets to help your food business stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and help you operate through these evolving public health measures.