STATE OF EMERGENCY
Ontario has declared a state of emergency and issued a stay- at- home order that will take effect Thursday. Here is a summary of the new rules:
❚ Residents will be required to stay home, leaving only for work, food, health care, or exercise, for at least 28 days.
❚ The state of emergency gives police and bylaw officers authority to ticket scofflaws.
❚ Indoor social gatherings and events barred except among people in the same household. Outdoor gatherings limited to five people.
❚ Religious services, weddings, funerals and other ceremonies limited to 10 people.
❚ All employees work remotely, unless their jobs can only be done on site.
❚ Retails stores deemed non- essential and those offering curbside pickup and delivery must limit hours of operation to between 7 a. m. and 8 p. m.
❚ Food stores, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores and restaurants selling takeout are exempt from the limit on hours.
❚ Schools in Windsor, Toronto, Peel, York and Hamilton closed for in- person learning until Feb. 10. Before- and after- school programs can resume on that date.
❚ Schools in northern health units that resumed in- class lessons this week remain open.
❚ Child care for preschoolers remain open.
❚ Construction deemed non- essential closed, including below- grade construction.
❚ Land surveying and demolition services permitted.
❚ Concert venues and theatres closed, including for drive- in or drive- thru events.
❚ Some outdoor recreation spaces can open with conditions, including parks, baseball diamonds, batting cages, sports fields, skate parks, horse racing facilities, trails, toboggan hills, ice rinks and shooting ranges.