Ontario extends emergency orders to May 29
Special to WC Online
ONTARIO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the chief medical officer of health, has extended all emergency orders currently in force until May 29.
That includes the closure of bars and restaurants except for take-out and delivery only, restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and staff redeployment rules for long-term care homes and congregate settings like retirement homes and women’s shelters. The government is also allowing drive-in religious gatherings.
Today (May 19), the province officially enters the first stage of its Framework for Reopening the Province. As part of this initial stage, the government is permitting the reopening of some outdoor recreational amenities, including outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields, off-leash dog areas, and outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas, effective today.
Outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, fitness equipment, public swimming pools, splash pads and similar outdoor water facilities will remain closed until later stages of the province’s reopening plan.
“Although we are entering the first stage of our framework to reopen the economy, it’s critical that we continue to do so in a safe and responsible manner,” Premier Doug Ford said. “The people of Ontario have been doing a fantastic job to help flatten the curve and stop the spread of this terrible virus. With warmer weather beginning, individuals and families will now be able to enjoy many outdoor amenities, but everyone must continue to maintain physical distancing from those outside of their household.”
To ensure individuals and families have safe access to outdoor spaces, it is critical they take everyday steps to reduce exposure to the virus, such as maintaining physical distancing by staying two metres apart from anyone outside of their household, washing hands regularly, and staying home if feeling unwell.
“It’s never been more important for people to continue following the public health measures and advice we’ve laid out, so we don’t undo the tremendous progress we’ve made to contain COVID-19,” deputy premier and minister of health Christine Elliott said. “While reopening parks and other outdoor spaces is important for our physical and mental health, we’re encouraging people to be responsible by keeping a safe distance of at least two metres from members outside of their household.”
In addition, the government has approved an exemption to the emergency order related to gatherings to allow Ontarians to attend drive-in religious gatherings, under certain conditions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The conditions include keeping vehicles two metres or more apart, only members of the same household can be in one vehicle, people will not be able to leave their vehicles, and no more than five people can conduct the service at one time from outside a motor vehicle and they must stay at least two metres apart.
“Our government recognizes the importance that Ontarians place on participating in religious services,” said solicitor general sylvia Jones. “We continue to take a measured approach to reopening our province and this exemption is another important step forward in that process.”
On the advice of the chief medical officer of health, the Ontario government has extended all emergency orders that have been put in place to-date under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until May 29. The emergency orders include:
Prohibiting Organized Public Events, Certain Gatherings
Work Deployment Measures for Health Care Workers
Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
Work Deployment Measures in Long-Term Care Homes
Electricity Price for RPP Consumers
Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses
Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Sales of Necessary Goods
Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities
Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health
Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes
Access to COVID-19 Status Information by Specified Persons
Service Agencies Providing Services and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Pickup and Delivery of Cannabis
Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney
Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services
Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes
Temporary Health or Residential Facilities
Closure of Public Lands for Recreational Camping
Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home
Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards
Deployment of Employees of Service Provider Organizations
Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities
Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home
Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies
Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record
Global Adjustment for Market Participants and Consumers
Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
Hospital Credentialing Processes
Management of Long-term Care Homes in Outbreak
Extending these orders supports the government’s plan to “cautiously and safely reopen businesses, services and amenities in a way that will enable the province to continue to protect the health and safety of Ontarians.”
The Government of Ontario declared a provincial emergency on March 17 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. This declaration of emergency was most recently extended on May 12 and is currently in effect until June 2.
Learn more about A Framework for Reopening our Province.
