COVID-19 Update for April 7 2021 – State of Emergency in Ontario
The new order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, April 8, 2021. These measures will last for at least four weeks, on top of the measures that were introduced with the province-wide “emergency break” that came into effect last Saturday.
The following additional items will be introduced:
- All non-essential retail will only be permitted to operate for curbside and online shopping from the hours of 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Big box stores will only be permitted to sell essential items and will be limited to 25% capacity.
- Residential evictions will be suspended.
Vaccine projection and additional measures
Ford has estimated that Ontario will be able to administer the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 40% of the population by the end of this stay-at-home order.
To support this effort, the government is introducing mobile vaccination teams that will administer vaccines to individuals 18 years of age and older in high-risk congregate settings, residential buildings, faith-based locations and locations occupied by large employers in hot spot neighbourhoods.
Starting with the school break next week, education workers who provide direct daily support to students with special education needs across the province, and all education workers in high-risk neighbourhoods in Toronto and Peel, will be eligible for vaccination.