Province-wide shutdown

An Ontario-wide shutdown will be put in place to combat an alarming surge in COVID-19 infections, Premier Doug Ford said Thursday.

The change will take effect Saturday and continue for at least four weeks.

The government is asking Ontarians to limit trips outside the home to necessities such as food, medication and other essential services, but stopped short of imposing a stay-at-home order like it did in January.

Outdoor gatherings will be limited to five people, essential retailers will be allowed 50% capacity, while other stores can have 25% capacity. Personal services and fitness services will stop and restaurants are back to take out only.

Religious celebrations, including this Easter weekend, the province limits attendance to 15% capacity inside and outside events are limited to the number of people who can stay two metres apart.

Schools will remain open.

The announcement came hours after the province’s science advisers said stay-at-home orders are needed to control the third wave driven by more contagious and deadly COVID-19 variants.