CREDIT: FANSHAWE STUDENT UNION PUBLICATIONS
The Ontario government has reduced its list of essential businesses, effective 11:59 p.m. April 4.

The Ontario government is ordering more workplaces to close on Saturday, in accordance to advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The announcement comes after the Ford government revealed projections of between 3,000 to 15,000 deaths in Ontario due to the coronavirus pandemic, within an 18-month to two-year timeframe.

"We are facing a critical moment in the fight against COVID-19 and we must do everything in our power to keep everyone safe and healthy and prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed," Premier Doug Ford said in a media release. “Everyone must do their part to stop the spread and flatten the curve. If you are not an essential business, you need to close your doors, work from home if possible and play a role to help contain this outbreak. This is a matter of life and death."


The Province narrowed its list of businesses classified as essential in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. All businesses not covered by the updated Emergency Order must close as of April 4, at 11:59 p.m. The closure will be in effect for 14 days, with the possibility of an extension.

Non-critical construction projects will also be shut down.

The updated list of non-essential businesses restricts specified businesses to providing services by alternate methods such as curb side pick up and delivery, except in exceptional circumstances. This includes stores that sell hardware products, vehicle parts and supplies, pet and animal supplies, office supplies and computer products and repairs and safety supplies. All supply chains necessary for the production of vital food and healthcare supplies will remain intact.

The updated essential businesses list can be found here.