ONTARIO EXTENDS COVID REOPENING ORDERS TO FEB. 19
TORONTO — The province says “the disturbing increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths” means it will extend restrictive reopening orders to Feb. 19.
In a release today, Sat. Jan. 16, it says the government, in consultation with the chief medical officer of health, is extending most orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) for another 30 days.
It says most of the orders under the ROA are extended to Feb. 19, with the exception of O. Reg. 75/20 (Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works), which is not being renewed.
Rules for Areas in Stage One (O. Reg. 82/20) was amended to ensure government infrastructure projects are able to continue as essential construction activities.
“Extending these orders ensures the necessary tools remain in place to help respond to the disturbing increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths, and provide safeguards for Ontarians, especially our vulnerable populations,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
“Our government will continue to take the actions needed to preserve our health care capacity and protect Ontarians until everyone can be vaccinated.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 12, Ontario declared a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA).
The stay at home order came into effect Thursday, Jan. 14, as well as enhanced authorities for enforcement personnel.
The new law states individuals and corporations who don’t abide by orders under the EMCPA or the ROA can be fined. The set fine amounts are: $750 for individuals who fail to comply with an order; $1,000 for corporations who fail to comply with an order; and $1,000 for anyone who prevents an enforcement officer from exercising their powers or performing their duties to enforce the orders.
And if convicted, maximum fines for committing an offence range from $100,000 for an individual to $10 million for a corporation, and for an individual, penalties could include up to a year in jail.
The list of orders under the ROA and the EMCPA can be found online on the Government of Ontario’s website. Throughout the period of the declared emergency, orders under the ROA remain in effect, along with orders under the EMCPA.
FOR MORE INFO:
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19
Ontario’s plan for supporting employers and workers during COVID-19
Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine web page has its latest provincial data and information on COVID-19 vaccines
Download the COVID App to help stop the spread of COVID-19
