Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott speaking at news conference. March 28, 2020.Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott speaking at news conference. March 28, 2020.
London

Ontario prohibits gatherings of more than five people

The Ontario government is enacting a new emergency order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by limiting social gatherings to a maximum of five people, with a few exceptions.

Premier Doug Ford announced on Saturday that his Cabinet would discuss the possibility of further limiting the size of non-essential gatherings. The government announced Saturday night that the new measure under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act would take effect immediately.

The order does not apply to private households with five people or more, child care centres supporting frontline workers -- provided that the number of people at each centre doesn't exceed 50. Funerals with up to 10 people are allowed to take place.

"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 in a statement. "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."

The new measures announced by the province, come at the advice of Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

"These are extraordinary times that demand extraordinary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect our people. Nothing is more important," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

This recently approved order replaces the previous emergency order that didn't allow gatherings of 50 people or more.

 

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