Ontario declares second provincial lockdown

By Kaniehtonkie

Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a second provincial emergency lockdown on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Facing high rates of COVID-19 that threaten more deaths than seen during the first wave, a slate of new restrictions were announced in an effort to bring the virus under control.

Here are the new restrictions in place effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday:

Ontario will be placed under a stay-at-home order, which will require everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, like going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work.

There will be no in-class instruction until Feb. 10 at the earliest for the following public health units: Windsor-Essex, Peel Region, Toronto, York Region and Hamilton.

All businesses must ensure any employee who can work from home do so.

Outdoor gatherings are restricted to five people, consistent with the first-wave lockdown rules.

Masks remain mandatory indoors at open businesses or organizations. Masks are also now being recommended outdoors where physical distancing of more than two meters is not possible.

All non-essential retail will be forced to close by 8 p.m. and open no earlier than 7 a.m. These limits don’t apply to stores that primarily sell food, gas stations, pharmacies, convenience stores or restaurants providing take-out or delivery.

Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.

No restrictions on the purchase of non-essential items

The Province of Ontario restrictions will remain in place until at least February 11, 2021.