Cinemas, concert halls, spectator sports venues and other spaces where proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required are allowed to open at full capacity starting today.

Health Minister Christine Elliott made the announcement in a press release Friday afternoon.

Elliott says the decision was based on high vaccination rates, stable public health indicators and the vaccine certificate requirements that took effect last month.

Capacity limits have been lifted for concert venues, theatres and cinemas; spectator sports venues; meeting and event spaces; horse and car racing tracks and other similar places; and commercial film and television productions with studio audiences.

Other public health and workplace safety measures continue to remain in effect for these settings, including wearing face coverings, screening and contact tracing.

In these settings where capacity limits have been lifted, individuals are no longer required to maintain two metres of physical distance, with limited exceptions.

Proof of vaccination is still required in outdoor settings where the normal maximum capacity is 20,000 people or more.

Gyms, personal training facilities and restaurants are not included on the list of places allowed to open at full capacity.