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Stay-at-home order extended, more restrictions put in place

There are going to be checkpoints at interprovincial borders
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Miriam King/BradfordToday

The state of emergency and stay-at-home order in Ontario have been extended two weeks, said Premier Doug Ford today.

The measures were put in place last week and were slated to end May 6. It will now be in place for at least six weeks (until May 20).

More restrictions have also been put in place.

Ford said some of the new restrictions are outdoor gatherings being limited to members of your household. Places of worship are also reduced to 10 people indoors. 

Capacity limits for all indoor settings such as grocery stores or corner stores is limited to 25 per cent amenities. Outdoor amenities such as basketball courts or golf clubs are closed.

Checkpoints are also going to be set up at interprovincial border crossings

Police have been given extra authority to enforce stay-at-home measures allowing them to ask individuals why they are not at home.

All non-essential construction is being closed. 

Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said non-essential construction includes shopping malls, hotels and office towers.

"However, there are still projects that are critical to our health, like building our homes, our hospitals, assessment centres and longterm care homes and we need to ensure those and these sites are kept safe," he said in the news conference.

Starting today, an inspection blitz started that will see over 200 inspectors visiting more than 1,300 construction sites over the next four weeks, he said.

"Travel to and from work has been a major contributor to the spread of this deadly virus. For that reason we have repeatedly asked people who can work from home to do so. The sad reality is more and more people are being asked to go into the office. This cannot continue,” he said. 

Inspectors will also be visiting law offices, accounting firms and other workplaces to make sure that people on site are following COVID-19 safety requirements.

“I cannot stress enough to employers, if your staff can work from they must work from home,” he said.

Inspectors will be making sure people who must absolutely work out of the home are following public health measures.

“For our employers and employees, take note. This is your last warning,” said McNaughton.

The third state of emergency was declared in Ontario April 7. Another stay-at-home order took effect April 8. 

Earlier this week, it was announced schools are moving to remote learning after this week's April break.

A record 4,812 new COVID-19 cases were reported by Ontario Public Health today. The previous record was registered yesterday, when there were 4,736 new cases.


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Maija Hoggett

About the Author: Maija Hoggett

Maija Hoggett is an experienced journalist who covers Timmins and area
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