COVID 19 Stay at Home Order Takes Effect Across Ontario Today

COVID 19 Stay at Home Order Takes Effect Across Ontario Today
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks during the daily briefing at a mass vaccination centre in Toronto on March 30, 2021. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
Updated:

TORONTO—A stay-at-home order takes effect across Ontario today in response to worsening COVID-19 trends.

Premier Doug Ford announced the move yesterday, saying it was prompted by a surge in cases driven by more infectious variants.

Stores that sell goods such as groceries, cleaning supplies and pharmacy products can remain open but only to sell essential items.

Non-essential retail can open for curbside pickup or delivery only.

The province is declaring the third state of emergency since the start of the pandemic to invoke the new measures.

The changes come after a month-long shutdown announced last week was criticized as too weak to address the third wave of infections.