PANDEMIC HANDLING: ONTARIO, QUEBEC, NOVA SCOTIA, NEW FOUNDLAND & LABRADOR PROVINCES ACTS FOR COVID-19

Canadian Emergency Response Benefit

ONTARIO

The province of Ontario declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19 on 17th March. Ordered by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the closure of all non-essential businesses for fourteen days and closure of public facilities. The Ontario Govt. & Premier Ford further announced that only fifty people is the restriction for public gatherings. He also added that just five people can be present in social gatherings as part of new social distancing laws.

The Govt. also limited the playing areas and fields by temporary closure, including the beaches. Furthermore, the Govt. under the premiership of Doug Ford announced an extension of the State of Emergency due to pandemic until 12th May.     

QUEBEC

Happened for the first time in history that the govt. imposed a Public health emergency similar to other provincial Govt.’s. An important step by the Premier Francois Legault’s administration in the interest of the residents. Closure of all non-essential businesses until April 13th including social gatherings. Although, its the largest of the Canadian provinces.

Hence, in case of breaking the rules, the fines applicable are $1,000 for individuals. The state of public health emergency has been renewed until 4th May.

NOVA SCOTIA

Premier of Nova Scotia, Stephen McNeil announced the state of emergency on 22nd March at a press conference. Similar implications as in other provinces regard to social distancing & closure of non-essential businesses. However, with exceptions of some shopping malls only with people’s guidelines of social distancing orders. The domestic and international travel bans are similar i.e. fourteen days of isolation.

However, strict applications of fines for $1,000 on social distancing and $7,500 for small businesses. The extension of the state of emergency was until April 19th.

NEW FOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

The declaration came on the 18th of March. For the general public, only the essential doors remained open, i.e. Pharmacies and grocery stores. Ordered to close were the rest i.e. all non-essential business services. The same rules applied for traveling as in other provinces and the state of emergency was extended until April 30th.

Courtesy: MBE Blog