Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared a state of emergency in the province as it looks to combat the spread of COVID-19.
“We’re facing an unprecedented time in our history. This is a decision that was not made lightly,” Ford said at a Tuesday morning news conference at Queen’s Park. He was joined by Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, Health Minister Christine Elliott and Finance Minister Rod Phillips.
“COVID-19 constitutes a danger of major proportions,” he continued. “We must act decisively, we must not delay.”
As part of the declaration, the province will mandate the closure of restaurants and bars and prohibit gatherings of more than 50 people, including at indoor recreation centres, theatres and concert venues, until March 31.
Ford stressed that the state of emergency does not constitute a “provincial shutdown.”
“The vast majority of businesses, including those most vital to day-to-day life, will not be affected by this order,” he said.
As of Monday evening, there were 177 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, though five are considered resolved. Cases are spread geographically throughout the province, though the majority are concentrated in the Greater Toronto Area.
