There are many questions today, after the Ontario government issued a new state of emergency and stay-at-home order.
So, what exactly does that mean considering we’re already under a province-wide lockdown?
Under the declaration of a provincial emergency, which will remain in effect for 28 days, the government is allowing all enforcement and provincial offence officers to issue tickets to those who do not comply with the orders, or those not wearing a mask or face covering indoors.
The stay-at-home order that will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday and will require everyone to remain at home except for essentials: like groceries, prescriptions, medical appointments, exercise or work.
All non-essential retail stores will only be allowed to operate from 7am to 8pm, while outdoor public gatherings have been reduced to 5.
Schools in the hot zones (Toronto, Peel Region, York Region, Hamilton and Windsor-Essex) will not return to in person instruction until at least Feb. 10, while decision will be made for all other areas by January 20th.
As it stands right now, all students in southern Ontario are due to return to in-class learning on January 25th.
Also, students in Grades 1-3 will now be required to wear masks.
For more details on the new rules, please click here and note the changes are highlighted in red.
We know you have questions about the Stay-At-Home order issued by the @OnGovernment and the restrictions.
We are reviewing all the information to better inform you and our partners. Please refer to this document which includes information by sector. https://t.co/A3nV6jAal7 pic.twitter.com/D5fMjGs3v4— SMDHU (@SMDhealthunit) January 13, 2021
Effective Thursday, January 14 at 12:01 am all non-essential retail stores will be required to close by 8 pm with the exception of grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies & restaurants providing takeout orders.
The success of these measures will ultimately depend on you. pic.twitter.com/uEVfOQjcAY
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 13, 2021
Friends, Ontario’s new stay-at-home order comes down to each of us asking ourselves a very simple question: is leaving home absolutely essential? If the answer isn’t an immediate and emphatic ‘yes’ then please stay home.
Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 13, 2021
Our health care system is on the brink of collapse. We are at levels never seen before.
Cases and deaths are at the highest levels since the start of the pandemic and community spread continues to escalate.
Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives. pic.twitter.com/dbo75tg4qS
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 12, 2021
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