Provincial emergency orders extended to June 9

Outdoor playgrounds will remain closed, and restrictions on social gatherings are still in place

Some of the provincial orders put in place by the Ontario government to help control the spread of COVID-19 have been extended until at least June 9.

The announcement was made on Wednesday morning.

The orders being extended under s.7.0.2 (4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act include:

• Outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, public swimming pools and outdoor water facilities remain closed
• Bars and restaurants can also not open yet, except for takeout and delivery
• Restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people remain in place
• Staff redeployment rules remain in place for long-term care homes and congregate settings like retirement homes and women's shelters

Premier Doug Ford says the extension is needed to safely reopen the province.

"To build on the progress we have made to contain COVID-19, people should continue to follow these simple public health guidelines, practise physical distancing, wear a mask when it is a challenge to physical distance, and wash their hands regularly. If you think you have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to the virus, go to an assessment centre and get tested. Please stay safe." Ford stated.

The following emergency orders have been extended until June 9:

• Closure of Establishments

• Prohibiting Organized Public Events, Certain Gatherings

• Work Deployment Measures for Health Care Workers

• Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works

• Electronic Service

• Work Deployment Measures in Long -Term Care Homes

• Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses

• Traffic Management

• Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes

• Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Necessary Goods 

• Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities

• Enforcement of O rders

• Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health

• Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes

• Access to COVID-19 Status Information by Specified Persons

• Service Agencies Providing Services and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities

• Pickup and Delivery of Cannabis

• Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney

• Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services

• Child Care Fees

• Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes

• Temporary Health or Residential Facilities

• Closure of Public Lands for Recreational Camping

Work Deployment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services

• Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home

• Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards

• Deployment of Employees of Service Provider Organizations

• Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities

• Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home

• Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies

• Congregate Care Settings

• Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record

• Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death

• Hospital Credentialing Processes

• Education Sector

• Management of Long-term Care Homes in Outbreak

The following orders have also been extended:

• Electricity Price for RPP Consumers (until May 31, 2020)

• Global Adjustment for Market Participants and Consumers (until June 1, 2020)