Today, the Government of Ontario announced additional restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19, including an extension of the provincewide stay-at-home order first issued on April 7, enhanced enforcement measures, and inter-provincial travel restrictions.
The stay-at-home order currently in effect requires everyone to remain at home except for specified 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. The stay-at-home order has been extended an additional two weeks, for a total of six weeks.
Effective Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., police officers and other provincial offences officers will have the authority to require any individual to provide their home address and purpose for not being at their residence. In addition, police officers, special constables and First Nation Constables will have the authority to stop vehicles to inquire about an individual’s reasons for leaving their home. This additional enforcement tool will only be in effect during the stay-at-home order and exclusively to enforce the stay-at-home order.
The government is also restricting travel into Ontario from the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec with the exception of purposes such as work, health care services, transportation and delivery of goods and services or exercising Aboriginal or treaty rights.
The government also intends to implement the following public health and workplace safety measures effective Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.:
- Prohibit all outdoor social gatherings and organized public events, except for with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone or a caregiver for any member of the household;
- Close all non-essential workplaces in the construction sector;
- Reduce capacity limits to 25 per cent in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers’ markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies; and,
- Close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds with limited exceptions.
- Limit the capacity of weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies to 10 people indoors or outdoors, and prohibit social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions, except for with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone. Drive-in services will be permitted.
These measures are in addition to those announced on April 7 when the Province issued a stay-at-home order. Read more about today’s announcement here.
Looking to support local restaurants and retailers during this period? Access the chamber’s restaurant directory here and the general business directory here.
Learn more about how to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment here. Learn more about Public Health Sudbury & District’s vaccination campaign here.