Ontario has extended its emergency orders until May 29, including the closure of bars and restaurants except for take-out and delivery, and limiting gatherings to five people.
However, the government is making a new exemption for drive-in religious gatherings, if vehicles are kept at least two metres apart and only contain members of the same household, and no one leaves their vehicle.
Ontario starts the first official stage of its economic reopening today, giving the green light to retailers, some recreation centres, vehicle dealerships and other businesses to resume.
Included in today's reopening are multi-use fields, off-leash dog areas, outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks. Outdoor playgrounds, splash pads and swimming pools will stay closed for now.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce is also set to give an update today on the status of schools and child-care centres.
Meanwhile, Ontario announced today it is launching an independent commission into the province's long-term care system.
Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton said in a statement that the commission will start in September, and in the meantime the government will be finalizing terms of reference, leadership and timelines.
“An independent non-partisan commission is the best way to conduct a thorough and expedited review,” Fullerton said.
The Ontario Long-Term Care Association, opposition parties and the health-care union SEIU have all called for a full public inquiry into the sector.
Nearly 1,400 long-term care residents have died amid COVID-19 outbreaks in the facilities, as well as five staff members.
The number of long-term care homes experiencing an outbreak has grown over the past few weeks, even as the government has imposed increasing restrictions and implemented widespread testing.
