Hamilton enters Stage 2 on Friday: Here's what you can and can't do, and how to do it

Is it OK to hug mom? How many friends can I meet with? Can someone give me a haircut? Are we ready to build sand castles on the beach?

There are lots of rules to follow to stave off COVID-19 and try to live with a semblance of normalcy. Life in Hamilton and the surrounding areas will change on Friday. Here's what you need to know to be ready for it.

Can I see my parents?

Yes. Hamiltonians can have "social circles" of up to 10 people includingfamily and friends. These social circles don't require physical distancing, so hugs, kisses and handshakes are fine. But you can only be a part of one circle.

Other provinces have referred to this as expanding social "bubbles," but it all means the same thing.

How many people can I see at once?

You can partake in gatherings of 10 (and this is already in effect) but you have to make sure you're physicallydistancing.

That means you can go to the park or meet with 10 people even if they aren't in your circle but you must be physically distancing.

Gathering limits to weddings and funerals can also have no more than 10 people.

Do I have to wear a mask on transit?

Yes. Unless you're under the age of two, have trouble breathing or can't get the mask off without help.

But HSR won't deny you service for not wearing a mask.HSRbus capacity can only reach two-thirds full.

What'sopen and closed in Stage 2 in Hamilton?

Hairdressers, spas, tattoos and piercings

You can chop off your mullet or get new ink starting on Friday, but staff can't do any work or grooming onyour face. You'll also need to book an appointment in advance. Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses, hot tubs floating pools and sensory deprivation tanks are closed.

Malls

Stage 2 means malls can open, but you may not be able to shop 'til you drop. CF Limeridge said it plans on opening Friday. Weekday hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. On weekends, the mall closes at 6 p.m. Movement around the mall will be carefully controlled and food courts are take-out only for now.

Not all stores will be open. Here's a list of what will be for in-store shopping:

• Active Green and Ross.
• Baskin Robbins Ice Cream (open daily at noon).
• Hudson's Bay.
• Lenscrafters.
• Pearle Vision.
• Shoppers Drug Mart.
• Spectrum Family Eye Care(open only for emergency).
• Urban Behavior.
• Urban Planet.

Childcare but you have to wait

Child-care centres will be open eventually, but not on Friday. The city said it will need some time to clarify proper protocol. But daycares won't look or function the same way they did before.

Toys will be separated and only 10 people can be in a room at the same time, drastically shrinking the number of spots available for children.

Restaurant patios and outdoor dining

Restaurant patios are open, but eateries must ensure physical distancing measures between customers with different social bubbles.

Other measures include "using reservations, limiting the number of patrons allowed in the outdoor space at one time, and ensuring enough space between tables, including to allow for movement" according to the city.

About 30 applications from restaurants are being reviewed and roughly 80 were submitted.

Customers can't eat indoors yet.

Spray pads, pools and beaches

Spray pads and beaches will open on Friday. Pools will start opening in July.

Anyone visiting the pools and spray pads should keep their distance from others, practice proper hygiene and not attend if they are sick or show signs of sickness.

Attractions

Low-contact attractions and activities like paintball, mini-golf, archery ranges and go-cart tracks can open. But indoor recreational activities aren't permitted except for indoor driving ranges and rod and gun clubs.

Drive-in and drive-through venues liketheatres, concerts andzoos are open provincially, but what is open locally depends on the business. Private campgrounds are open and so are tour and guide services.

Movie theatres are closed. Amusement parks, waterparks and Hamilton's waterfalls also remain closed.

Outdoor recreational facilities

Outdoor sports teams can start training on fields, baseball diamonds and other outdoor recreational facilities but cannot have scrimmages or games.

Playgrounds, play structures and outdoor fitness equipment remain are not open.

Libraries take-outonly

Hamilton Public Library announced it is offering take-out (curbside) service of on-hold books, music and movies, starting June 23at four branches. People need an library card and a pin to reserve and pick up items.

Library customers can alsoschedule and pick up holds for two family members or friends during their appointment.

The HPL is planning to open more branches in the next phase of reopening and eventually all locations will be open for this service when enhanced cleaning and other safety protocols are in place

Places of worship

Places of worship are already open provincially, but local mosques, churches, synagogues and other religious buildings open at their own discretion. Physical distancing and increased cleaning must be in place. They can only fill the building to 30 per cent capacity.

Community centres, museums and heritage buildings

Residents cannot access community centres, museums and heritage buildings in Hamilton despite the province allowing them to open and provide limited services.

Fitness centres and gyms

They're still closed.