AS COVID-19 continues to spread in Ontario prompting the Ford Government to declare a state of emergency, the Province also announced that there would be no new eviction orders issued until further notice.

According to a statement released from the Ministry of the Attorney General, “Tribunals Ontario is reviewing pending eviction matters in light of the rapidly evolving circumstances related to COVID-19 and no new eviction orders will be issued until further notice.”

In addition, sheriff’s offices have been asked to postpone any scheduled enforcement of eviction orders currently set for this week.

This is all part of the extreme measures the Government of Ontario said it will be taking to protect the citizens of Ontario during this unprecedented health crisis.

“We are facing an unprecedented time in our history,” said Premier Ford, referring to the today’s state of emergency announcement. “This is a decision that was not made lightly. COVID-19 constitutes a danger of major proportions. We are taking this extraordinary measure because we must offer our full support and every power possible to help our health care sector fight the spread of COVID-19. The health and wellbeing of every Ontarian must be our number one priority.”

As a result of this declaration and its associated orders, the following establishments are legally required to close immediately:

• All facilities providing indoor recreational programs;
• All public libraries;
• All private schools as defined in the Education Act;
• All licensed child care centres;
• All bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery;
• All theatres including those offering live performances of music, dance, and other art forms, as well as cinemas that show movies; and
• Concert venues.