TORONTO -- The Ontario government is expected to announce Thursday that it will implement an “emergency brake” and force the province into a month-long shutdown, CTV News Toronto has learned.
Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the decision said Wednesday the shutdown is expected to begin on April 3 and will last at least a month.
According to the
government’s guidelines, a shutdown—which appears as a sixth, white-coloured tier in the government’s framework—is similar to the old grey zone rules in which retail is allowed to open with strict capacity limits, indoor dining remains closed and gyms are shuttered.
While most outdoor amenities, including golf courses, baseball diamonds and soccer fields, would remain open, other sectors of the economy will be closed or restricted for the next month.
Personal care services and personal fitness businesses would be shut down, big box stores would be limited to 50 per cent capacity, while other retail would see a 25 per cent capacity limit. Shopping malls would remain open with 25 per cent limit for individual stores.
Restaurants would be closed for in-person dining, and would be forced to deliver or offer take out instead.
Residents will not be able to gather with anyone outside of their household indoors and outside gatherings will be capped at five people, as long as physical distance can be maintained.
Despite concerns over COVID-19 outbreaks related to manufacturing and warehouses, those sectors would remain open as long as they provide essential products or offer packaging, distribution and delivery.
Schools, child care centers and children's day camps could continue with the current public health protocols.
