Premier Doug Ford announced changes to restrictions Monday afternoon as part of his government’s plan to gradually move all of Ontario’s 34 public health units back to its colour-coded reopening after a provincewide „lockdown” was enacted on Dec. 26.

Chief among them is that non-essential retailers in the province’s grey zones will be allowed to open their doors with a 25 per cent capacity limit. The province said the move is to „support the province’s economic recovery.”

Meanwhile, the 50 per cent capacity limit for in-person shopping at essential retailers, such as supermarkets and other stores that primarily sell groceries, as well as convenience stores and pharmacies, will stay in place. Personal care services and indoor recreational fitness facilities, however, are among the businesses to remain closed.

„Today we’re seeing some sunlight break through the clouds,” Ford said. „My friends, the measures are working. Staying home is saving lives.”

On Wednesday, residents living in three public health areas will move into the least stringent level: Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health, and Renfrew County and District Health Unit.

The stay-at-home orders will remain in place in the rest of Ontario until Feb. 16, when the order could be lifted in 28 more public health units depending upon COVID-19 trends at the time, the government said. In Toronto and Peel and York regions, however, the order is set to stay in effect until at least Feb. 22.

Ontario reported another 1,265 cases of COVID-19 Monday morning. More than 900, or over 70 per cent, were recorded in Toronto, Peel and York regions, which account for about 36 per cent of the province’s population and considerable business activity. The seven-day average of new daily cases fell to 1,327, the lowest it has been since Nov. 12, 2020, while hospitalizations decreased by 25 to 901 overall.