The Ontario government has given Toronto and Peel Region the green light to move into Stage 3 of reopening on Friday.

That leaves Windsor-Essex as the only region in the province in Stage 2.

Officials say the decision is based on local trends including lower transmission, hospital capacity, and a significant increase in testing.

Premier Doug Ford is asking people to continue to follow public health advice and act responsibly.

“We have made tremendous progress that allows us to return to something a little closer to our normal lives this summer, but we are not out of the woods yet,” said Ford in a statement.

Most of Ontario’s 34 public health units were allowed to enter Stage 3 on July 17.

Another group joined them the following week.