Ontario Premier Doug Ford will announce a 28-day lockdown for Ontario on Thursday.
News broke late Wednesday evening following meetings of the Ontario cabinet and several health-care professionals. The move is reportedly to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday in what is being called an "emergency brake."
According to several media reports, the restrictions will be similar to the Grey-Lockdown level of Ontario's COVID-19 response framework.
One report said non-essential retail stores would be permitted to open at 25 per cent capacity, while grocery stores would be limited to 50 per cent occupancy. Indoor dining at restaurants will be prohibited, it's unclear if patio dining will be permitted as currently allowed.
Construction projects can continue, while religious services are also permitted, but with capacity limits in place. Some outdoor activities would be allowed but indoor fitness facilities and personal care services are to be closed.
Schools are scheduled to continue normally next week, though the province has not yet decided what will happen after the spring break, which takes place the week of April 12, the sources said.
Ontario has reported an average of about 2,300 new cases of COVID-19 per day in the last week with many regions in southwestern Ontario already in Red or Grey.
An update from the Ford government is expected to come down Thursday afternoon.