The Ford government has extended the province's state of emergency measures for another 28 days.
Under the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and with the approval of the Ontario legislature, the Declaration of Emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act has been extended until May 12.
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The extension of the provincial declaration of emergency was passed Tuesday afternoon during a special sitting of the Ontario legislature and it will allow the province to continue to enforce current emergency orders.
This includes the closure of all non-essential workplaces, outdoor amenities such as parks and recreational areas, public places, and bars and restaurants, as well as restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and prohibitions against price-gouging.
"During these unprecedented times, we cannot let our guard down. The actions being taken by everyone to stay home and practice physical distancing are making a difference, but we are not out of the woods yet," said Premier Ford in a statement.
"With the support of every Ontario MPP, we continue to take any and all actions necessary to support our frontline health care workers and respond rapidly and decisively to slow the spread of this deadly virus."
The state of emergency in the province was first issued on March 17 and was extended for the second time on March 30.
The extension comes as the number of known coronavirus cases in Ontario continues to rapidly increase, with officials confirming 7,953 cases and 334 deaths as of Tuesday, April 14.
