State of emergency to be extended; province asks school boards to hold off on proms and grads

While Premier Doug Ford is expected to ask the Ontario Legislature to extend the provincial state of emergency until June 2 when the government meets tomorrow, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, is encouraging school boards to delay graduations, proms and celebrations until it is safer to host them.

“Although we are making great efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario, it may still be some time before schools and boards are able to offer the kinds of ceremonies and traditions in the same way they have in previous years.

“I spoke directly to many graduating students and their parents. Their stories have moved me to act. I firmly believe Ontario students deserve this positive conclusion to their academic journey, even if ceremonies are delayed… to the summer or fall when it is safe to do so.”

The legislature is to resume for its fourth emergency session Tuesday for MPPs to approve another extension for the state of emergency that is set to expire May 12.

Just 42 MPPS are allowed (21 Conservatives, 14 NDP, three Liberals, the Green Party leader, two independents and the house speaker).

The legislature is also expected to sit May 19, 20, 26, 27, June 2 and 3 for Question Period and COVID-19 related business.

Meanwhile, stores with street entrances were allowed to re-open for curbside pick up and delivery on Monday morning.

Garden centres, hardware stores and safety supply stores were all cleared to re-open to in-store sales Friday and Saturday.

This morning’s update by Hastings Prince Public Health shows one fewer lab-confirmed case with 42 as of May 1, and fewer probable cases – dropping to 185 from 188. Five people have died in the region – three of which were confirmed in Belleville at long-term care homes.

Cases in Prince Edward County remain listed at 5-9. There are 25 listed in Belleville; none in Tyendinaga and Deseronto and 1-4 in Quinte West and Central Hastings. For areas with lower numbers, ranges are being used to protect privacy.