Ontario Government Orders Province-Wide Lockdown

Bottom Line

On December 21, 2020 the Ontario government announced a province-wide lockdown which will take effect on December 26, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. This lockdown is set to last at least 14 days in Northern Ontario (i.e. until at least January 9, 2021) and 28 days in Southern Ontario (i.e. until at least January 23, 2021). These periods may be subject to extension if deemed necessary to further stop the spread of COVID-19.

In conjunction with the announcement of this province-wide measure, the Ontario government advised that the existing COVID-19 Response Framework would be paused once the lockdown comes into effect. While paused, all regions across the province will be subject to the amended measures set out in the newly filed O. Reg. 779/20, which amends the Rules for Areas in Stage 1.