Ontario government extends emergency orders for another 10 days

Premier Doug Ford’s government has extended its emergency orders for another 10 days to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The emergency orders were previously extended to May 29, and now are currently in force until June 9, 2020.

According to the province, current emergency orders include the closure of outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, public swimming pools and outdoor water facilities, as well as bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery. Additionally, there continues to be restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and staff redeployment rules remain in place for long-term care homes and congregate settings like retirement homes and women’s shelters.

The province is officially in 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.

“We are extending these emergency orders to protect the health and safety of all individuals and families as we begin to gradually and safely reopen our province,” said Premier Doug Ford.

“To build on the progress we have made to contain COVID-19, people should continue to follow these simple public health guidelines, practise physical distancing, wear a mask when it is a challenge to physical distance, and wash their hands regularly. If you think you have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to the virus, go to an assessment centre and get tested.”

The emergency orders include:

• • Closure of Establishments
  • Prohibiting Organized Public Events, Certain Gatherings
  • Work Deployment Measures for Health Care Workers
  • Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
  • Electronic Service
  • Work Deployment Measures in Long -Term Care Homes
  • Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses
  • Traffic Management
  • Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
  • Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Necessary Goods
  • Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities
  • Enforcement of O rders
  • 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
  • Child Care Fees
  • Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes
  • Temporary Health or Residential Facilities
  • Closure of Public Lands for Recreational Camping
  • Work Deployment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services
  • 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
  • Congregate Care Settings
  • Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record
  • Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
  • Hospital Credentialing Processes
  • Education Sector
  • Management of Long-term Care Homes in Outbreak

  The following orders have also been extended:

  • Electricity Price for RPP Consumers (until May 31, 2020)
  • Global Adjustment for Market Participants and Consumers (until June 1, 2020)

The Government of Ontario declared a provincial emergency on March 17 under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The state of emergency, which was extended previously until June 2, gives the province power to enforce the emergency orders.