Amid COVID-19, Ontario Premier Ford today announced he will extend Ontario’s state of emergency for another two weeks after the current order expires tomorrow.

The current emergency order prohibits organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people. Organized public events include parades, events including weddings, social gatherings and communal services within places of worships. This does not apply to private households with five people or more or child care centres operating to support frontline health care workers and first responders as long as the number of persons does not go beyond 50 people. Funerals will be allowed to proceed with a maximum of 10 people in attendance.

All outdoor recreational amenities, such as sports fields and playgrounds, in the province must also be closed immediately, in addition to the continued closure of non-essential workplaces.

To enforce these orders, the Solicitor General and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing notified Ontario's Head of Councils on March 27th that authority had been granted to municipal bylaw officers or agents to enforce emergency orders. Municipalities may provide direction to these officers regarding the exercise of the powers through policies or by-laws and can powers can only be exercised when individuals or businesses are violating emergency orders. Enforcement measures can include public education measures or issuing tickets under the Provincial Offences Act, though officers cannot make any arrests. 

This order declared on March 28 replaces Premier Ford’s initial emergency order, which prohibited gatherings of more than 50 people. The emergency order will be re-assessed on a two-week basis.

As of today, Canada has 6,320 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Ontario saw its largest single-day increase with 351 new cases bringing the provincial total to 1,706. Health officials reason the increase is due to clearing a large backlog of pending test results.

For more information, please see below:

CTV News: Ontario Premier Doug Ford extends state of emergency for another two weeks

Ontario Newsroom: Ontario Prohibits Gatherings of More Than Five People with Strict Exceptions

Ontario Government: List of Essential Workplaces