This is changing hour by hour, day by day’: Premier Doug declares state of emergency in Ontario – Toronto Star
March 17, 2020
Premier Doug Ford has declared a state of emergency in Ontario, immediately ordering select closures of gatherings above 50 people — including bars and restaurants, except for take-out — but leaving malls, food stores, businesses, factories and construction sites open as the province fights COVID-19.
“This is not a provincial shutdown,” Ford stressed while cautioning, “this is changing hour by hour, day by day” and offering $304 million to boost the health-care system.
The measure announced Tuesday morning expires at the end of March and gives Ford broad powers, but for now closes only indoor recreation centres, public libraries, private schools, parades, places of worship, licenced day-care centres, cinemas, theatres, concerts and the like until the end of March.
