Here we go again: Ontario’s New Restrictive Measures

April 16, 2021

By Talha Hashmani

Last Updated: April 16, 2021 at 7:50 p.m.

Premier Doug Ford announced today that the province wide stay-at-home order will be extended for an additional two weeks. 

Ford did not enact a curfew but one was reportedly considered by his cabinet last night, according to sources.

Toronto Mayor John Tory also told CP24 that he is not a “big fan” of a curfew.

As part of the new measures, Ontario is restricting travel to other provinces including Quebec and Manitoba. Inter-provincial checkpoints will also be placed across the province as of Monday.

Outdoor gathering is also limited to individuals from the same household. These measures will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. this Saturday.

The government also announced that police officers will be allowed to stop individuals outdoors, making sure that people are leaving their houses only for essential purposes. Individuals who refuse to cooperate may be issued with a ticket, although the amount of the ticket is not confirmed.

Extra measures will be put in place to counteract a rising number of COVID-19 cases, as the province of Ontario recorded an all time high with a total of 4,812 confirmed cases today.

The Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table noted that high case rates will persist into the summer without stronger measures. It also emphasized that vaccines are not reaching people fast enough.

According to the Government of Canada, the cumulative per cent of the population in Ontario that has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was at 19.06 per cent as of April 10, 2021.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that the federal government would deploy the Canadian Red Cross to help Ontario with their mobile vaccination teams and send aid to hospitals and long-term care homes.

Ford responded to the proposal saying that Ontario did not need the Red Cross to help administer vaccines. According to Ford, Ontario does not have a “capacity issue” but rather a “supply issue”.

The new measures will coincide with the measures first introduced at the start of the month. Such restrictions as indoor gathering only with people from the same household and closure of non-essential retail stores continue to remain in effect.

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Gathering

• Indoor gathering is limited to individuals from the same household
• Outdoor gathering is limited to individuals from the same household
• Individuals should stay at home, only going out for the following:
  • The grocery store or pharmacy
  • Health care services (including going to medical appointments or getting vaccinated)
  • Outdoor exercise or walking pets in your community 
  • Work that cannot be done remotely 
• Religious services, weddings, and funerals are limited to 10 people indoor or outdoor. This will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, April 19.
• Parks, golf courses, and tennis courts will be closed.

Retail

• Non-essential retail is limited to only curbside pickup
• Essential retail is limited at 25 per cent capacity
• Discount or big box stores (supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores) are limited to in-person shopping for the following items:
  • Grocery items
  • Pet care supplies
  • Household cleaning supplies
  • Pharmaceutical items
  • Health care items
  • Personal care items

Restaurants

• Limited to take-out, drive-through, and delivery
• No indoor or outdoor dining

Work

• Non-essential construction, warehouses, manufacturing will be shut down
• 200 inspectors will be deployed to visit work places, making sure only essential workers are in the building.

Schools

• Following the end of spring break, all province-wide schools will be closed for in-person learning until further notice.