This morning, the Premier of Ontario declared a state of emergency in Ontario amid the COVID-19 outbreak.[1] Specifically, the Province of Ontario has ordered a prohibition on organized public gatherings of over 50 people (including parades, events, and services within places of worship) and the immediate closure of the following settings until March 31, 2020:

• All facilities providing indoor recreational programs;
• All public libraries;
• All private schools as defined in the Education Act;
• All licensed child care centres;
• All bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery;
• All theatres including those offering live performances of music, dance, and other art forms, as well as cinemas that show movies; and
• Concert venues.

These measures follow on the heels of yesterday afternoon’s recommendation from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams. Similar declarations have happened in Alberta and Quebec.

The Premier of Ontario stressed that the declared state of emergency does not constitute a “provincial shutdown” and that the vast majority of businesses “will not be affected by the order.” For example, most businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies and shopping centres, will not be impacted by the order.

This declared state of emergency will trigger an obligation on employers, under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000, to provide any employees impacted by these measures with an unpaid leave of absence known as “Emergency Leave”. This form of job-protected leave must be provided for as long as an employee is affected by the declared emergency.

Employees who will be entitled to take Emergency Leave include those directly impacted as a result of business closures as well as employees whose family caregiver responsibilities are engaged by the closures (i.e. daycares).

This update is part of our continuing efforts to keep you informed about the COVID-19. Watch our COVID-19 hub and our McCarthy Tetrault Employer Advisor blog for further updates, including in-depth analysis of emergency legislation in Ontario, federally, and in other jurisdictions. If you need assistance, please reach out to any member of our National Labour & Employment Team whenever you need to.

[1] This order was declared under s 7.0.1 (1) the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, RSO 1990, c. E9.