The Ontario government has extended its coronavirus-related emergency orders until May 6.
Those orders, which were set to expire Thursday, include the closure of businesses deemed non-essential, outdoor park amenities, recreational areas, public places, bars and restaurants, limits on social gatherings, as well as limiting retirement and long-term care home staff to working in only one home.
“We are making steady progress in our battle against this deadly virus, but we are not out of the woods by a long shot,” Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.
“It is absolutely necessary to extend these emergency orders to continue keeping all Ontarians safe and healthy.”
In addition to extending existing orders, the government announced a new measure to allow mental health and addictions agencies to redeploy staff within different locations or between programs and hire additional workers.
On Thursday, Ontario reported 634 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 54 additional deaths.
That’s the highest reported increase in cases since the outbreak began, though testing has also significantly increased over the past several weeks.
On Monday health officials said Ontario appears to have passed its peak with regards to community spread and the province was headed for a best-case scenario.
Ontario remains under a state of emergency, which was extended on April 14 until May 12. When in effect, the emergency act gives the provincial government the power to enforce the emergency orders.