Province extends State of Emergency Declaration

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Published March 31, 2020 at 1:50 am

ford

The Province has extended its Declaration of Emergency and associated measures, including the closure of non-essential workplaces and restrictions on social gatherings.

Additionally, the Province is issuing a new emergency order to close all outdoor recreational facilities, such as sports fields and playgrounds, effective immediately.

“I made a commitment to be open and upfront about what we need to do as a province to beat this virus,” Premier Doug Ford said in a news release.

“Based on the best medical advice available, we are taking further steps today to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians by closing outdoor recreational amenities, like sports fields and playgrounds, and extending our emergency orders to save lives. We all need to work together and do our part to stop COVID-19 by staying home, practising physical distancing, and avoiding social gatherings,” he continued.

This new order means all communal and shared public or private, outdoor recreational amenities across the province must close immediately, including playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, beaches, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, outdoor community gardens, park shelters, outdoor exercise equipment, condo parks and gardens, and other outdoor recreational amenities.

Further, green spaces in parks, trails, ravines and conservation areas will remain open for walking access, however, those using the space are instructed to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres between themselves and others using the space.

“We are acting on the best advice of our Chief Medical Officer of Health and other leading public health officials across the province” Christine Elliott, deputy premier and Minister of Health, said in the same release.

“We will continue to take decisive action to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect Ontarians’ health and wellbeing,” she continued.

This extension will be in effect until at least April 13.

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