Toronto: Ontario yesterday issued a new emergency order prohibiting organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people, effective immediately.
The prohibition, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, is based on the best advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, said a statement from the Office of the Premier.
Exceptions:
- This order would not apply to private households with five people or more
- It would also not apply to operating child care centres supporting frontline health care workers and first responders provided the number of persons at each centre does not exceed 50 people
- Funerals would be permitted to proceed with up to 10 people at one time
“If we are going to stop the spread of Covid-19 now and keep our communities safe, we need to take extraordinary measures to ensure physical distancing,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I strongly encourage everyone to do the responsible thing and stay home unless absolutely necessary. I can assure everyone that we will do everything in our power to stop this virus in its tracks.”
Organized public events include:
- Parades
- Events including weddings
- Social gatherings and
- Communal services within places of worship
This order replaces a previous emergency order which prohibits organized public events of over 50 people, said the statement.
Ontario declared a provincial state of emergency on March 17, 2020 and has issued orders to close non-essential workplaces, recreational programs, libraries, publicly funded schools, private schools, daycares, provincial parks, churches and other faith settings, as well as bars and restaurants, except those that may only offer takeout or delivery.
Essential services, such as grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, public transit, manufacturing facilities, and supply chain companies remain open and operational.
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