Doug Ford declares state of emergency in Toronto. March 17 2020. (Capture from livestream via CBC YouTube.)
The motion to extend the province’s state of emergency passed in legislature this morning.
Premier Doug Ford has said he is hopeful that this will be the last extension of the emergency declaration. However, many of the guidelines laid out under the state of emergency will likely continue after July 15, like bans on large gatherings.
After the state of emergency expires, the province won’t be able to make new emergency orders, amend them, or re-enact old ones, but existing ones can be extended.
The announcement comes as Ontario’s two most populated regions move in to Stage 2 of re-opening today. That includes the opening of hair salons, pools, and restaurant patios. Windsor-Essex remains the only region in the province not to be given the green light to begin Stage 2, though the Premier said he is working with local politicians and health officials to help the region come up with a plan.
In all cases, physical distancing will continue to be enforced to prevent a spike in new COVID-19 cases.
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