A Provincial Emergency was declared pursuant to section 7.0.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, in the whole of the Province of Ontario and was effective 2020-03-17.

The COVID-19 declared provincial emergency came to an end on July 24.  On July 21, 2020, Bill 195, Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 received Royal Assent.  This new Act was proclaimed on July 24, 2020.

The Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) provides the Province with flexibility to address the ongoing risks and effects of the COVID-19 outbreak once the declared provincial emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) ends.  It provides that:

• Emergency orders in effect under the EMCPA, as of July 24, are continued under the ROA for an initial 30 days.
• The Lieutenant Governor in Council may further extend these orders under the ROA for up to 30 days at a time.
• The Lieutenant Governor in Council may amend certain orders continued under the ROA if the amendment relates to:
• labour redeployment or workplace and management rules;
• closure of places and spaces or regulation of how businesses and establishments can be open to provide goods or services in a safe manner;
• compliance with public health advice; or,
• rules related to gatherings and organized public events.

The ROA does not allow new orders to be created.

For the most up-to-date information on provincial declaration and orders please go to: https://www.ontario.ca/page/emergency-information