MIDDLESEX CENTRE, ONT. -- Ontario is hitting the emergency brakes and moved Middlesex-London back into the red-control zone Tuesday.

The change took effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday and comes after the region has seen cases climb in recent days.

In a statement, Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health said, "Based on the current situation in the Middlesex-London area, it was decided that stronger public health measures were urgently needed to help ensure the continued health and safety of people in the region."

According to the province, between March 22 and 28 the region's case rate increased by 86.9 per cent to 64.4 cases per 100,000 people.

London Mayor Ed Holder says, "So if anyone had an lingering doubt, I think it's painfully obvious, we're now clearly in the midst of the third wave. Let's start acting now so we can spare ourselves and loved ones the types of outcomes none of us want to see."

Details on what restrictions will be in place under the red zone are available here.

Here are some of the biggest changes in the move from orange-restrict to red-control:

  • Indoor private gatherings go from a maximum of 10 to just five people
  • Restaurant capacity goes from 100 people to 50 people (or 50 per cent of dining area, whichever is lower)
  • Sports and recreation facilities go from 50 people indoors to 10, no games in team sports
  • Meeting and event spaces capacity goes from 50 indoors and 100 outdoors to 10 indoors and 25 outdoors
  • Retail stores have capacity limits in red – 75 per cent for supermarkets and similar and 50 per cent for all other retail
  • Bingo halls and gaming establishment maximum capacity goes from 50 people to 10 indoors or 25 outdoors
  • Movie theatres are closed in red, performing arts facilities can rehearse but no performances

Even with allowable limits, all residents are strongly urged to stay home and limit trips outside their household to essential purposes and not to gather with anyone outside their household.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit's Dr. Chris Mackie says, "This is the home stretch, we are nearly through this pandemic. But this home stretch will last a lot longer if we continue to gather indoors."

- With files from CTV's Nick Paparella