Restaurants, casino, gyms in Windsor welcome people back as Ontario eases COVID-19 measures

Restaurants, gyms, casinos and other spaces in Windsor reopened for in-person use Monday as Ontario starts to ease some COVID-19 restrictions.

After being closed since Jan. 5 to curb the spread of Omicron, many places are nowallowed to reopenat 50 per cent capacity. They includerestaurant dining rooms, gyms, movie theatres, museums, casinos and galleries. Indoor gathering size limits are alsoincreasing fromfive people to 10, while the cap on outdoor gatherings will go from 10 to 25.

Retail stores, including grocery stores and pharmacies, as well as shopping mallscan operate with 50 per cent capacity indoors.

In Windsor's Sandwich Towne, Dominion Housewas open for business and had its regular customers back enjoying the atmosphere.

"Most people are just glad to be back," said bartender Mike Whaley.

"We get a lot of regulars here and this is part of their life and part of their routine. It's nice, one small step to get back to a little bit of normalcy."

He said they're looking forward to planning events again, especially with the Super Bowl in February.

Change in scenery welcomed

Dominion House customer Walter Senkotold CBC News he welcomed the change in scenery for Monday's lunch hour.

"Seeing everybody here today, it's extra special I think, because we are coming together after being stuck inside," he said. "You could only see a friend passing by at a grocery store or something, and you'd be like, 'Hey,' now you can be like, 'Hey let's hang out and go somewhere.'"

The City of Windsor is also restarting some of its programming and opening facilities.

According to a Jan. 21 news release from the city, all nine ice pads in its four arenas are now open, though registration is required for all public skate and drop-in skating sessions, including at outdoor rinks.

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Customers return to their favourite spots for lunch and postsecondary students head back to the classroom, as provincial COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease.

The Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre also reopened for reserved fitness lanes, open adult and aqua fitness classes and rental times by regular users.

Recreation centres in the city have restarted some programming, which residents can sign up for online. A full list isavailable onlineor people can call (519) 255-1161.

Chimczuk Museum and Franois Baby House will reopen on Tuesday.

Windsor Public Library branches will continue contact-less curbside pickup and limited public computer and photocopier access is available. According to the city, branches are only open for computer and photocopier access at this time.

Caesars Windsor reopened to patrons on Monday.

Proof of vaccination will continue to be required to enter most businesses.

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Students happy to be back in-person

The University of Windsor and St. Clair College also reopened for in-person classes Monday, after being online since the start of the year.

Monday was the first day back on campus for fourth-year University of Windsor psychology student Julia Bussince March 2020.

"It's definitely a little bit strange. It feels really good for the most part," she said.

"Online, I get more distracted ... in class, I find that I can get more engaged and actually listen to the professor more."

Fourth-year political science student Jaclyn Kouleassaidaboutthe classes she's attended so far that she feels like students are bringing a different type of energy.

"It seems like it's a little bit more upbeat and people are answering questions, like talking a bit more, which is good ...I'm just happy to be backand ... hopefully this is it, this is over now," she said.

The province plans to ease COVID-19 measures further on Feb. 21.