days out of an abundance of caution due to rising indicators. on december 7, 2021, this was delayed indefinitely. omicron variant and rollback to stage 2 (december 10, 2021–present) on december 10, 2021, citing the spread of the omicron variant, ontario announced upcoming changes to the proof of vaccination requirements, which have henceforth been extended indefinitely. beginning december 20, the previous exemption to the proof of vaccination requirement for youth under 18 years of age participating in organized sports was removed. beginning january 4, 2022, only a certified qr code is accepted as valid proof of vaccination or medical exemption. notes from physicians are no longer accepted effective january 10, 2022. on december 15, 2021, premier ford announced that due to the omicron variant, a 50 percent capacity limit would be reintroduced for meeting and event spaces, indoor sports venues with a capacity of over 1,000, and indoor entertainment venues. on december 17, ford also announced that permissible social gatherings would be reduced to 10 people outdoors and 25 outdoors, and most indoor settings will be restricted to 50 percent capacity (unless being used for a faith-based ceremony). mingling and dancing at bars and restaurants is prohibited. all venues were subject to a 10 p.m. last call for alcohol sales, and all bars, restaurants, and strip clubs must close to dining at 11 p.m. in addition, all event venues and casinos will be prohibited from serving food and beverages. on december 30, 2021, ontario further restricted venues to a maximum of 1,000 spectators or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less. mlse announced that all toronto maple leafs and toronto raptors home games will be played behind closed doors while this restriction is in effect. on january 3, 2022, premier ford announced that to protect the hospital system, ontario would be rolled back to modified step 2 beginning january 5, 2022 for least 21 days: remote work was mandated where possible social gatherings are restricted to five people indoors and ten people outdoors. schools returned to distance education. retail, libraries, and personal care services are capped at 50 percent of capacity. bars and restaurants must close to in-person dining. elective procedures at hospitals will be suspended. indoor meeting and event spaces, indoor sports facilities, indoor recreational fitness facilities (except for use by training olympic and paralympic athletes, or athletes of specified professional and elite amateur sports leagues), indoor entertainment facilities (including cinemas, concert venues, theatres, museums, etc.), landmarks, historical sites, and festivals must close, with some exceptions for outdoor events. this effectively mandates that indoor sporting events must be held behind closed doors. indoor weddings and funerals are capped at 50 percent capacity. on january 20, 2022, the province announced plans to ease some of these restrictions beginning january 31, 2022: beginning january 31, 2022 social gatherings are restricted to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. indoor bars and restaurants (without dance floors), indoor meeting and event spaces, indoor sports facilities, indoor recreational fitness facilities, indoor entertainment facilities, landmarks, and historical sites may reopen at 50 percent capacity. theatres, concert venues, and indoor arenas may reopen at a maximum capacity of 500 people or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less. all proof of vaccination requirements remain in force. beginning february 21, 2022 social gatherings are restricted to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. indoor public venues subject to proof of vaccination may operate at full capacity. indoor public venues without proof of vaccination must restrict capacity to allow two metres of social distancing. indoor religious ceremonies without proof of vaccination requirements must restrict capacity to allow two metres of social distancing. theatres, concert venues, and indoor arenas may operate at a maximum capacity of 50 percent. indoor "high risk" settings subject to proof of vaccination may operate at 25 percent capacity. beginning march 14, 2022 social gatherings are restricted to 50 people indoors, and no longer limited outdoors. capacity restrictions lifted for religious services. capacity restrictions lifted for indoor public venues. all proof of vaccination requirements remain in force. on march 21, 2022, all capacity restrictions, proof of vaccination requirements, and face masks are optional. at least 21 days must elapse between each phase.