The Ontario government has extended emergency orders because of the COVID-19 pandemic to May 6.
They were set to expire Thursday.
The orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act have shut down non-essential businesses, recreational facilities, and playgrounds must remain closed. Restaurants and bars are only allowed to provide curbside or delivery services, social gatherings of more than five people are banned, and staff at long-term care and retirement homes are only allowed to work at one facility.
Other measures that will remain in place until May 6 include off-peak electricity pricing, price gouging, and giving police the power to enforce the emergency orders.
"We are making steady progress in our battle against this deadly virus, but we are not out of the woods by a long shot," said Premier Doug Ford. "It is absolutely necessary to extend these emergency orders to continue keeping all Ontarians safe and healthy."
The emergency orders are different from the provincial state of emergency, which first went into effect on March 17 and was extended on April 14. The state of emergency is in effect until May 12. The state of emergency is when the province enacts the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The orders are made under that legislation.
The government also introduced a new measure to protect the mentally ill. Mental health and addiction agencies will be allowed to redeploy staff within different locations or between programs. They will also be permitted to employ extra part-time staff, temporary staff, and contractors provided they appropriately trained those workers.
