Ontario extending COVID-19 orders

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is extending all orders currently in force under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) until January 20, 2021. This extension will support the safe delivery of critical services until COVID-19 vaccines are approved and widely available.

Find out what level and which regional public measures are in place for your area.

“Safeguarding the health and well-being of Ontarians remains our top priority at every stage of our COVID-19 response,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in a statement. “As we prepare to implement a safe and effective immunization program, extending these orders will ensure tools remain in place to address urgent public health situations until all Ontarians can be vaccinated.”

Ontario continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by taking the actions needed to support and keep Ontarians safe. Effective December 7, 2020, under the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, the government, in consultation with health officials, amended O.Reg. 363/20 (Stages of Reopening) to move three public health units to new levels. This action imposes stricter public health measures in an effort to reduce transmission in these regions and avoid broader closures.

The government also made amendments to O. Reg 82/20 (Rules for Areas in Stage 1) under the ROA, which applies to public health unit regions in the Stage 1 lockdown. These amendments, which came into force December 4, 2020, permit indoor farmer’s markets that primarily sell groceries, to be open. Click on the link for advice to help your business navigate the economy during COVID-19.

The list of orders under the ROA that have been extended can be found online on the Government of Ontario’s website.