Ontario Premier Doug Ford makes an announcement at Queen's Park in Toronto. March 16, 2020. (Capture from video posted to the Premier of Ontario's YouTube page)Ontario Premier Doug Ford makes an announcement at Queen's Park in Toronto. March 16, 2020. (Capture from video posted to the Premier of Ontario's YouTube page)
London

Province extends state of emergency until mid-May

Emergency orders in Ontario will remain in effect for an additional 28 days in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

On Tuesday, the Ontario Legislature approved an extension of the Declaration of Emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act until May 12. The extension was given full cooperation from all parties and will allow the province to continue to enforce current emergency orders.

The orders include the closure of all non-essential workplaces, outdoor amenities such as parks and recreational areas, public places and bars and restaurants, as well as restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and prohibitions against price-gouging.

"During these unprecedented times, we cannot let our guard down. The actions being taken by everyone to stay home and practice physical distancing are making a difference, but we are not out of the woods yet," said Premier Doug Ford in a news release. "With the support of every Ontario MPP, we continue to take any and all actions necessary to support our frontline health care workers and respond rapidly and decisively to slow the spread of this deadly virus."

As well, changes were made to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act to temporarily suspend student loan payments for OSAP borrowers and initiate a six-month interest-free moratorium on OSAP loans.

Other amendments to government acts were also made to extend timelines and deadlines for municipalities and school boards. The province said the changes will ensure targets can be met and revenue can be maintained during the pandemic.

"In these unprecedented times, our government is doing everything in its power to support our municipal, policing and community partners," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. "While Community Safety and Well-Being Plans are an important tool for municipalities to keep our communities safe, we need them to focus on allocating resources where they are needed most right now, and that is to stop the spread of COVID-19."

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 7,953 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, however, 3,568 of those have been resolved.  Deaths associated with the virus in Ontario has reached 334.

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