Canada: Authorities extend emergency orders in Ontario until June 30 /update 15

Event

Authorities in Ontario have announced the extension of all emergency orders until Tuesday, June 30, as a precaution to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The orders, initially set to expire on Friday, June 19, include a state of emergency, the closure of establishments, and a ban on gatherings of more than ten people. A full list of the orders in force can be found here.

The majority of Ontario's regions have been given permission to move to the second stage of the easing of lockdown measures on Friday, June 19, with restaurants, hair salons, and malls scheduled to reopen. Toronto, Peel, and Windsor-Essex are to remain in stage one until at least next week. Stage three will eventually see all workplaces reopen and restrictions on public gathering eased.

Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members, as well as temporary foreign workers and some international students, can return to Canada by air. In addition, only Toronto Pearson (YYZ); Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL); Calgary International Airport (YYC); and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) are operating international flights. Boats and cruise ships with more than 500 people are prohibited from docking at ports until July 1. The US-Canada border remains closed for all nonessential travel until July 21.

As of June 17, there have been 101,491 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada, with 8312 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.