Provinces have been releasing plans for easing restrictions that were put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Here is what some of the provinces have announced so far:
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador lifted some of the public health restrictions imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19 on Monday. The province is entering “alert level four” in its five-level reopening plan, allowing some businesses such as law firms and other professional services to reopen along with regulated childcare centers, with some restrictions. Small gatherings for funerals, burials, and weddings are also permitted with a limit of 10 people following physical distancing rules. Municipal parks, golf courses, and driving ranges can open and recreational hunting and fishing are permitted. Officials are reminding people that the new rules do not allow for parties or other social gatherings.The province is loosening restrictions in a series of “alert levels” descending from five. The current alert level is to remain in place for at least 28 days. At Level 3, private health clinics, such as optometrists and dentists, are to be permitted to open, as well as medium-risk businesses such as clothing stores and hair salons. At Level 2, some small gatherings will be allowed, and businesses with performance spaces and gyms are to reopen. Level 1 would represent “the new normal.”
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has announced there will be no return to school this year. He also says a decision on whether day cares will reopen will be made by June 8. Nova Scotia has eased some public health restrictions, however directives around physical distancing and social gatherings remain in place. Trails and provincial and municipal parks can now reopen, but playground equipment is still off limits. Garden centers, nurseries, and similar businesses can open, and while golf driving ranges can open, courses remain closed. Sportfishing is permitted and people can attend boating, yacht, or sailing clubs for the purpose of preparing boats for use. Drive-in religious services are now allowed, as long as people stay in their cars, park two metres apart, and there are no interactions between people.Prince Edward Island
PEI is accelerating its Renew PEI Together plan. Phase two of the plan will still begin May 22 as scheduled, but the third phase will now begin June 1 instead of June 12. Phase three will allow gatherings of up to 15 people indoors and 20 people outdoors, organized recreational activities, and the opening of child care centres and in-room dining. Members of a household can currently gather indoors with up to five other people. Other precautions, such as physical distancing, remain in place. Screening also continues at points of entry into the province and all people coming into PEI are required to isolate for 14 days. Priority non-urgent surgeries and select health-service providers, including physiotherapists, optometrists, and chiropractors, resumed on May 1. The Renew PEI Together plan also allows outdoor gatherings and non-contact outdoor recreational activities of no more than five individuals from different households.New Brunswick
New Brunswick’s education minister says licensed day cares can begin reopening May 19. Children won’t have to wear masks or maintain physical distancing, but they will be in small groups. Anyone who has travelled outside of New Brunswick will not be allowed to visit early learning and childcare facilities for 14 days. New Brunswick has allowed more businesses and services to open. Retail businesses, offices, restaurants, libraries, museums, and seasonal campgrounds can reopen under certain conditions. Those include having an operational plan that explains how they are meeting public health guidelines including physical distancing, hand hygiene, and allowing staff to remain home when ill. Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are also allowed if physical distancing is respected. The resumption of elective surgeries is also part of the province’s phase two of its reopening plan.The third phase will allow regular church services, dentistry work, and reopened fitness centers. The final phase, which will probably come only after a vaccine is available, will include large gatherings. Phase one, which started on April 24, allowed limited play on golf courses as well as fishing and hunting. Post-secondary students were allowed to return if it was deemed safe by the school, and outdoor church services were again permitted, providing people remain in their vehicles and are two metres apart.

The Snowbirds, the Royal Canadian Air Force air acrobatics team, fly over Montreal in a morale-building tour of Canada called "Operation Inspiration" on May 7, 2020. Sebastien St-Jean/AFP via Getty Images
Quebec
Quebec reopened retail stores outside Montreal on May 11. Lottery terminals have begun to reopen after being shut down on March 20 with sales moving to online only. Schools and day cares outside Montreal also reopened on May 11, but schools, junior colleges, and universities are to stay closed until September. Quebec’s construction industry has been opened and manufacturing resumed operations with limits on the total number of employees who can work per shift. Elementary schools in the greater Montreal area will remain closed until late August. Premier Francois Legault says public health conditions haven’t been met in the area hardest hit by the CCP virus, so Montreal day cares will also remain closed until at least June 1. Officials haven’t made a firm decision about what to do with retail businesses, scheduled to reopen May 25. Meanwhile, checkpoints set up to slow the spread of COVID-19 are coming down on May 18 in various parts of Quebec, including between Gatineau and Ottawa.
A ticket booth in town of Niagara Falls is seen during the CCP virus pandemic in Niagara Falls, Canada, on April 27 2020. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images