As of Wednesday, residents of nursing homes, who’ve been fully immunized, can leave for day and overnight trips.

In easing restrictions, the Ford government says residents with mobility limitations or health conditions (essentially, factors unrelated to weather) that make taking part in outdoor visits highly unlikely or impossible, may have one general visitor at a time inside the home, in addition to an essential caregiver.

Regardless of residents and visitor vaccination status, ”brief hugs can now take place.”

Where both resident and visitors are fully immunized, close physical contact, including handholding, are allowed.

The province says it’s able to ease restrictions thanks to high levels of vaccination and improvements in key public health care indicators.

As of May 30, the government estimated 97% of residents were fully immunized and over 89% of staff had received at least their first dose, with about 66% fully immunized.