Ontario Declares State of Emergency Due to COVID-19
With the COVID-19 pandemic escalating in Canada, the province of Ontario has announced that it is declaring its second State of Emergency in an effort to slow the Coronavirus spread.
According to reporting by CTV News in Toronto, Ontario Premier Doug Ford discussed details of the Stay at Home Order and State of Emergency at a press conference with members of the media.
Starting on Thursday, January 14th, people will be required to stay at home unless they are doing some sort of essential activity. Essential activities include things like going to the drug or grocery store, getting medical services, or doing essential work. Many businesses in Ontario will be required to shift to remote work and services, along with all non-essential personal who do in-person work will be required to work from home.
Ontario is also taking steps to restrict public and social gatherings, which are now limited to no more than 5 people. Also, most schools in Ontario will also be closed for in-person classes until at least February 10th.
These district jobs are the latest in Canada’s quest to reduce COVID-19 rates in the country. Police officials in Ontario have been empowered to check and enforce compliance with this state of emergency. Officers will be checking businesses and monitoring people to ensure these rules are followed. In addition to that, a couple new laws passed in Ontario, Reopening Ontario Act and the Emergency Management and Civil Emergency Management Act, now allow officials to fine or prosecute people who do not follow the new rules.
This state of emergency and these pandemic rules will be in effect for at least the next 28 days.
I don’t know about you, but I have really been feeling like I won’t be able to get back to the 6 to run the streets with my woes anytime soon, and I know I’m not the only person who feels this way. I really do miss my Canadian brothas and sistas, I can’t wait until I can make it back over.
However, the way COVID-19 has been going across the world, I don’t expect this state of emergency to end in 28 days.