The Ontario government announced today that it is declaring a third provincial emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. A province-wide Stay-at-Home order has been issued effective April 8 at 12:01am. The order will require everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise, or for work that cannot be done remotely. 

In addition, the Province is also strengthening measures for retail under the province-wide emergency brake. Measures include but are not limited to:  

• Limiting the majority of non-essential retailers to only operate for curbside pick-up and delivery, via appointment, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., with delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm, and other restrictions; 

• Restricting access to shopping malls to limited specified purposes, including access for curbside pick-up and delivery, via appointment, with one single designated location inside the shopping mall, and any number of designated locations outside the shopping mall, along with other restrictions; 

• Restricting discount and big box stores in-person retail sales to grocery items, pet care supplies, household cleaning supplies, pharmaceutical items, health care items, and personal care items only; 

• Permitting the following stores to operate for in-person retail by appointment only and subject to a 25 per cent capacity limit and restricting allowable hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. with the delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.: 

• Safety supply stores; 

• Businesses that primarily sell, rent or repair assistive devices, aids or supplies, mobility devices, aids or supplies or medical devices, aids or supplies; 

• Rental and leasing services including automobile, commercial and light industrial machinery and equipment rental; 

• Optical stores that sell prescription eyewear to the public; 

• Businesses that sell motor vehicles, boats and other watercraft; 

• Vehicle and equipment repair and essential maintenance and vehicle and equipment rental services; and 

• Retail stores operated by a telecommunications provider or service, which may only permit members of the public to enter the premises to purchase a cellphone or for repairs or technical support. 

• Permitting outdoor garden centres and plant nurseries, and indoor greenhouses that engage in sales to the public, to operate with a 25 per cent capacity limit and a restriction on hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. 

Schools and child care will remain open for in-person care and learning in public health regions where it is permitted, with strict safety measures in place.  

Health and safety inspectors and provincial offences officers will increase inspections and enforcement at essential businesses in regional hot zones to continue protecting essential workers while on the job.  

 

Ontario Enacts Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order 

Emergency Information including Updated Provincial Orders 

COVID-19 Shutdown: Enhanced Public Health and Workplace Safety Measures 

COVID-19 Response Framework