Province extends state of emergency to May 12

Ontario extended the province’s state of emergency Tuesday to May 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The legislature passed the bill to extend thte declaration by 28 days in response to the continued spread of the coronavirus.

“During these unprecedented times, we cannot let our guard down,” said Premier Doug Ford. “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.”

With the support of every Ontario MPP, Ford received a standing ovation from the 28 members of the provincial parliament at the session.

The state of emergency was initially declared in Ontario on March 17. One day before it was set to expire, it was extended for an additional 14 days. A state of emergency declaration can be extended by no more than 14 days with approval of the Lieutenant Governor, but requires a vote by the legislature to be extended by 28 days.

In a state of emergency the government has power to enact orders, including limited travel, establishing shelters and hospitals and closing facilities, such as parks and schools and limit gatherings to no more than five people.

As of Tuesday, Ontario has more than 7,950 positive cases of the novel coronavirus including 334 deaths.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health posted its most recent lab-confirmed case, the 26th, on April 10. Its number of reported ‘probable’ cases has been decreasing over the past week and on April 14 was listed at 260.