Ontario Orders the Mandatory Closure of All Non-Essential Workplaces to Fight Spread of COVID-19

New Measures to Further Protect the Health and Safety of the People of Ontario

To further contain the spread of COVID-19, the Ontario Government will order the mandatory closure of all non-essential workplaces effective as of Tuesday, March 24th at 11:59 p.m. This closure will be in effect for 14 days with the possibility of extending this order as the situation evolves. A full list of businesses that are permitted to stay open will be released tomorrow.

Businesses that can continue operations with employees working remotely, or through other contingency measures, are being given approximately 36 hours to prepare and adapt. Essential services may continue their operations to maintain supply chains and ensure the people of Ontario have access to necessities, including groceries, medicines and other essential products.

Read the list of essential workplaces in response to COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus)