Toronto 
The Ontario Government has ordered all non-essential businesses to close down.
The mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces will be effective as of Tuesday, March 24th at 11:59 p.m for 14 days.
Updated: April 3: List of Updated Essential Workplaces in Ontario
“This was a tough decision, but the right decision, as this is no time for half measures,” said Premier Doug Ford. “But I have said from day one we will, and we must, take all steps necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. The health and safety of every Ontarian must come first. The health of you, your children, your grandparents and friends depends on all of us doing our part.”
Businesses are being given approximately 36 hours to prepare and adapt their operations with employees working remotely, or through other contingency measures.
All essential services including groceries, medicines and other essential products will remain open. Essential businesses include, but are not limited to grocery stores and pharmacies, telecommunications and IT infrastructure service providers, and businesses that support power generation, natural gas distribution and clean drinking water.
This decision will be re-evaluated and possibly extended as the situation evolves.
Notable Businesses That Can Remain Open
- Delivery, processing, packaging, distribution, services
- Grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, markets and other similar retailers
- Child care services for essential workers, and home child care services of less than six children
- Business for health and welfare of animals, including feed, animal food, pet food and animal supplies
- Beer, wine and liquor stores, cannabis stores and cannabis producers
- Gas stations
- Hardware Stores
- Gas stations
- Auto and motor-vehicle-repair, Car and truck dealerships etc.
- Businesses that supply office products and services.
- Restaurants for delivery or takeaway
- Hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities, including student residences
- Businesses that provide Institutional, Residential, Commercial and Industrial Maintenance
- Telecommunications and IT Infrastructure/Service Providers
- Taxis and other private transportation providers
- Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector, essential services maintenance
- Businesses providing Health Care and Seniors Care and Social Services
- Businesses providing mailing, shipping, courier and delivery services, including post office boxes
- Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
- Various Utilities and Community Services like Garbage Collection, Potable drinking water,Road construction and maintenance;, police, fire, emergency services including coroner services and pathology services
- Newspaper publishers, Radio & Television Broadcasters, and Telecommunications providers.
- Banking, Insurance and related businesses.
- Financial Markets
- Multiple businesses & production relating to resource extraction
There are currently 489 coronavirus positive cases in Ontario with 6 deaths. 8 people have recovered and 8417 have tested negative for coronavirus in Ontario.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about COVID-19.
