Update on Ontario’s Stay-At-Home Order

 
On April 16, 2021, the government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, announced strengthened enforcement of the province’s Stay-at-Home order, imposed new travel restrictions and additional public health measures. These actions are focused on stopping the rapid growth in COVID-19 case rates and relieving mounting pressures on the province’s health care system. This is a critical task we all have a role in which is why we made the difficult decision to move to remote learning following the April Break.

Both the provincial declaration of emergency and the Stay-at-Home order have been extended for an additional two weeks, until May 5, 2021 and May 20, 2021 respectively, to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Please refer to the full details at the following link: Ontario Strengthens Enforcement of Stay-at-Home Order | Ontario Newsroom.

The Stay-at-Home order currently in effect requires everyone to remain at home except for specified purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise, or for work that cannot be done remotely.

In order to limit the transmission of the variants of concern, the government is also restricting travel into Ontario from the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec with the exception of purposes such as work, health care services, transportation and delivery of goods and services or exercising Aboriginal or treaty rights.
 
School and Child Care Construction 

Over this period, essential construction, including construction that supports the operations of, or provide new capacity in, schools, colleges, universities or child care centres within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, is permitted. As well, construction projects that are funded in whole or in part by the federal, provincial and/or municipal governments are permitted.

School boards are encouraged to move forward with and expedite capital and renewal initiatives that are intended to improve ventilation and other health and safety measures, whether it is funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) or through provincially funded school renewal programs.
 
Outdoor Recreational Amenities

In an effort to stop large gatherings where spread can happen, the use of outdoor recreational amenities, including basketball courts, baseball diamonds and soccer fields, is not permitted. Those responsible for these amenities are required to ensure that they are closed. School boards are asked not to schedule, or issue permits for the use of these amenities and to communicate with their students and families via their websites that these are closed. The use of playgrounds is permitted but note that physical distancing requirements and outdoor gathering limits apply. Please consult with your legal counsel on how the restrictions apply to your board.

Emergency Child Care for Front-Line Workers

Beginning Monday, April 19, eligible front-line workers are able to access subsidized emergency child care as a support during the remote learning period. Eligibility includes a staff member of a school as defined in the Education Act who provides, or supports the provision of in-person instruction to pupils with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning. Eligible individuals can contact their municipal service system manager for information on how to access the program. Additional information about the program can be found here.
 
Consistent with the memo you received on Monday, April 12, we are directing schools to continue to provide access to their facilities for the purpose of child care for child care programs that are permitted to operate.
 
We encourage you to connect with your legal teams if you have any questions to ensure that your boards are operating within the Stay-At-Home Framework and regulations.
 
The government will continue to listen to the advice of public health experts, and we will update parents once a safe return to in-person learning is recommended. Thank you for your ongoing partnership.
 
Sincerely,