Populations Eligible for Phase Two COVID-19 Vaccination
Ontario Providing Additional Relief to the Province's Most Vulnerable
Funding and services will help seniors and people with disabilities during the COVID-19 outbreak
April 21, 2020 1:00 P.M. | Office of the Premier
TORONTO — The Ontario government is delivering much-needed support to Ontario's most vulnerable citizens, including seniors and persons with disabilities, during the outbreak of COVID-19. The province is investing $11 million to help deliver meals, medicines and other essentials to those in need and doubling the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payments.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario
Click to read the full text of this News Release on the Province of Ontario Website.
Click to view a video of the Premier's announcement on the CPAC website.
Ontario Enacts Declaration of Emergency to Protect the Public
Significantly Enhanced Measures will Help Contain Spread of COVID-19
March 17, 2020 9:13 A.M. Office of the Premier
TORONTO - Today, the Government of Ontario announced that it is taking decisive action by making an order declaring an emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. In doing so, Ontario is using every power possible to continue to protect the health and safety of all individuals and families.
"We are facing an unprecedented time in our history," said Premier Ford. "This is a decision that was not made lightly. COVID-19 constitutes a danger of major proportions. We are taking this extraordinary measure because we must offer our full support and every power possible to help our health care sector fight the spread of COVID-19. The health and wellbeing of every Ontarian must be our number one priority."
As a result of this declaration and its associated orders, the following establishments are legally required to close immediately:
Further, all organized public events of over fifty people are also prohibited, including parades and events and communal services within places of worship.
These orders were approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and will remain in place until March 31, 2020, at which point they will be reassessed and considered for extension, unless this order is terminated earlier.
"We are acting on the best advice of our Chief Medical Officer of Health and other leading public health officials across the province," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "We know these measures will affect people's everyday lives, but they are necessary
to ensure that we can slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect our people. We're working with all partners across the system, from public health to hospitals and community care, to do everything we can to contain this virus and ensure that the system is prepared to respond to any scenario."
"Our government is taking an important step to protect Ontarians by declaring a provincial emergency through the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, establishing Ontario's ability to quickly implement and enforce orders in the public interest," said Solicitor General Jones. "Our government will continue to respond to this outbreak by limiting the exposure of individuals to COVID-19 and ensure the health and well-being of all Ontarians."
Ontario is also investing up to $304 million to enhance the province's response to COVID-19 by providing the following:
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