With a COVID test positivity rate of around 6% province-wide, the provincial government of Ontario has issued an emergency stay-at-home order. It went into effect last Thursday. The order closes most “in-person” events except for school. Some schools in “hot spots” have closed.
Michigan has a positivity rate of around 15% with St. Clair County closer to 30%. Many schools have paused in-person learning.
In Ontario, the stay-at-home order is intended to “save lives, prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, protect in-person learning and keep children in schools, allow more time to vaccinate Ontarians, and stop the spread of COVID-19 in communities”, according to the official Ontario.ca website.
Going to the grocery or pharmacy is allowed, as is going to the doctor, exercising outdoors, and walking pets, as well as work that cannot be done remotely.
Travel is prohibited unless absolutely necessary. Contact between households is limited. Even outdoor gatherings are limited to 5 people.
Personal care services, cinemas, and all indoor sports and fitness centers are completely closed.
The order is in effect for 28 days after which time it will be reevaluated.
Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland
