Effective today the Province has declared a State of Emergency that will last at least 28 days.
Premier Doug Ford also says he’s issuing a stay-at-home order effective Thursday at 12:01 am.
This means people won’t be able to leave their homes once it starts except for groceries and medical appointments, the pharmacy, accessing health care services, exercise or essential work.
Ford indicated rising case counts and the onset of the UK COVID-19 variant here are fuelling his decisions.
“Just look at what’s happening in countries where the UK variant has taken hold,” he said. “It’s a total disaster. And we’ve been told by officials it’s not a matter of if this new strain takes hold, it’s a matter of when it takes hold and how wide it spreads.”
Along with the State of Emergency, enforcement and inspections will increase and officials will have the power to issue tickets to bad actors who don’t follow the rules.
“All we’re asking is for cooperation,” said Ford. “Please – stay home.”
The Premier says more enforcement is needed at big box stores too and that they will undergo inspection blitzes.
In addition to limiting outings to essential trips, all businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.
Provincial modelling shows growth in COVID-19 cases has accelerated, leading to increased hospitalization rates and ICU occupancy.
ICU occupancy by coronavirus patients is now over 400 beds and is projected to be as high as 1,000 beds by early February.
The number of COVID-19-related deaths continues to rise and is expected to double from 50 to 100 deaths per day between now and the end of February.
The data shows that mobility and contacts between people have not decreased with the current restrictions. The new variant emerged in November. If community transmission of this variant occurs, Ontario could experience much higher case counts, ICU occupancy and mortality.
In response to the alarming and exceptional circumstances at hand, and to further interrupt the deadly trend of transmission in Ontario communities, hospitals, and long-term care homes, the government will enact the following additional public health measures:
- Outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are further restricted to a limit of five people with limited exceptions. This is consistent with the rules during the lockdown during the first wave of COVID-19 in spring 2020 and will allow individuals and families to enjoy time outdoors safely.
- Individuals are required to wear a mask or face-covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can’t physically distance more than two metres.
- All non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m. The restricted hours of operation do not apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants for takeout or delivery.
- Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.
- By January 20, 2021, the Chief Medical Officer of Health will advise the Ministry of Education on which public health units (PHUs) will be permitted to resume in-person instruction, based on the most up-to-date data and modelling. Before- and after-school programs can be offered when in-person instruction resumes. Schools in northern PHUs will continue to remain open.
The Premier says dark days lie ahead with “turbulent waters” but we will get through it.
Ford’s message is to stay at home during this, the second State of Emergency declared during the pandemic, save lives and protect the health care system which is on the brink of being overwhelmed.
To watch the Province’s full January 12th update, see below.
https://www.facebook.com/FordNationDougFord/videos/158892182403945
Today, I issued a Stay-at-Home Order for Ontario, effective Thursday January 14 at 12:01 a.m.
Under this order, everyone must stay home and only go out for essential trips, to pick up groceries or go to medical appointments.
Learn more: https://t.co/P3rChGjuU1 pic.twitter.com/49FELTh9KW
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 12, 2021