Type of Intervention: Advisory, Specific Action
Sectors Involved: Education, Finance/Economy, Health, Local Government, Private Sector
Intervention Categories: Social and physical distancing measures; Adapting or closing schools; Adapting or closing offices, businesses, institutions, and operations; Gatherings, businesses, and services; Legal and policy; Declaring state of emergency
Level of Jurisdiction: Ontario
Lead People/Agency: Premier Doug Ford, Government of Ontario, Chief Medical Officer of Health (Dr. David Williams)
Overview: The government of Ontario declared a state of emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. This requires the immediate closure of: recreation facilities, public libraries, private schools, licensed childcare centres, bars and restaurants, theatres and cinemas, concert venues. It also prohibits the organized gathering of events over 50 people, including in places of worship. These actions were approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and will remain in effect until March 31, when reassessment will occur.
Full details here: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/03/ontario-enacts-declaration-of-emergency-to-protect-the-public.html
Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group, Perception of an increased threat
Source of Evidence or Justification: Sub-national, Chief Medical Officer of Health
Evidence/Justification: The advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health is cited as evidence for this emergency declaration. Additionally, COVID-19 constitutes “danger of major proportions” for Ontario, thus increasing threat is used as justification to enact this policy.