Ontario implementing 50% capacity limit for sporting events
The Ontario government is implementing 50% capacity limits for sporting events beginning Saturday to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, as well as the NBA's Toronto Raptors, are the teams currently affected by the changes. Ontario is the first NHL or NBA jurisdiction to implement capacity limits this season.
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Maple Leafs and Raptors, said it'll provide details to all impacted ticketholders within 24 hours.
There will also be a stricter mask mandate in Toronto's Scotiabank Arena beginning Saturday. Guests will be required to comply with all mask-wearing protocols or risk ejection.
The Senators announced they'll soon contact ticketholders likely to be affected by the capacity reduction. They added that season seat members won't be impacted by the changes.
"I know this will be tough, but it's an important step in ensuring we slow the spread of Omicron as we urgently accelerate boosters because, as I said earlier, it's all hands on deck," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday, per CP24's Bryann Aguilar.
The NHL and NBA have both seen outbreaks among players and staff in recent weeks. The Senators had three games postponed due to COVID-19 protocols in November.
The Raptors played in Florida last season due to border closures, while the Maple Leafs and Senators held their shortened 2021 campaign with no fans.