A State of Emergency in Ontario has been extended until July 15th.
Public and private gatherings will remain capped at 10, while bar and restaurant indoor service remains banned.
Premier Doug Ford says he’s hoping this will be the last extension of the emergency declaration.
“Ontario is heading in the right direction because everyone is doing their part. We’re seeing the trends go the right way. We’re hitting our markers. We’re taking a cautious approach and this is helping Ontario move forward.”
Ford adds “Our small businesses have stepped up in a really, really big way. For months they put everything on hold. They put their community before themselves. They did what they needed to do to protect Ontarians. And because of them, because of their efforts, we are beating this virus.”
He notes “We’re watching the public health trends carefully. We’re consulting daily with our Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Command Table for the best available medical advise. No one wants to see every region of Ontario open more than I do but we have to do it right.”
The declaration enables the government to make, and as needed amend, emergency orders that protect the health and safety of everyone.
The government can still open regional economies during the State of Emergency.
The province is reporting 163 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths Wednesday.
