Ford defends stay-at-home order
‘If you’re not sure if a trip is absolutely essential, it probably isn’t’
TORONTO — Ontario’s premier defended his government’s new stay-at-home order on Wednesday as critics called it unclear and officials in the province’s largest city said they were still seeking details on the rules.
A day after plunging the province into its second state of emergency since the start of the pandemic, Premier Doug Ford attempted to clarify the order that asks residents to stay home except for essential outings.
“If you’re not sure if a trip is absolutely essential, it probably isn’t,” Ford said. “So please, you must stay home.”
The premier added that residents should “use their best judgment” when determining if they need to leave home.
“It’s very simple,” he said. “Stay home. Stay home. That’s it.”
Under the order that takes effect Thursday, Ontario residents will be required to stay at home except for essential activities such as accessing health care, shopping for groceries, or outdoor exercise.
The province has said there’s no set definition for what is “essential,” because everyone has their own unique circumstances and regional considerations. There’s no limit on how many times people can leave their homes per day, or on how long they can be out.
The province also has yet to detail the legal parameters surrounding enforcement of the order but said they were to be posted online Wednesday night.
The province released further parameters surrounding the order Wednesday night, spelling out activities that people are allowed to leave home for.
The regulation says attending school or dropping off a child at daycare is permitted. Obtaining food, beverages, or personal care items is allowed.
Obtaining services for your vehicle or home, financial services, or government services is also permissible.
It says individuals who live alone can gather with members of a single household. Leaving home to seek mental health or addictions support is OK.
Attending a wedding, funeral, or religious service is permitted under the regulation provided the gathering complies with public health rules.
Leaving home to buy food, supplies, services or obtain veterinary care for a pet is also permitted.
Travel to airports, train stations and bus stations for the purpose of travelling to a destination outside of the province is also allowed.
Thomas Tenkate, a professor of occupational and public health at Ryerson University, said the government did not clearly communicate the order when it was announced.
“People are worried if they misinterpret things will they get a fine by the police?” he said. “’It’s easy to say ’use common sense’ or ’use your best judgment,’ but we know common sense isn’t that common.”
Tenkate said the government should also clarify what it deems to be essential work. “For someone who needs to pay the bills, their work is essential,” he said.
Opposition politicians continued a call for the government to implement paid sick days to help workers self-isolate.
NDP MPP Jamie West said by providing paid sick days the government could save lives. “Doug Ford needs to act today to end the horrible choice he’s forcing workers to make between financial worry, or risk catching the virus and spreading it to their family,” West said.