The Provincial Government To Introduce And Amend Emergency Orders Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Saturday, 25 April 2020 08:50

The emergency orders will support long-term care homes in Ontario and the deafblind community, as well as allow staff to be redeployed to make sure they can work where they're needed the most.

ONTARIO - New emergency orders will be introduced by the Province, plus some will be amended, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

The emergency orders will support long-term care homes in Ontario and the deafblind community. The changes would also allow staff to be redeployed to make sure they can work where they are needed most amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Premier Doug Ford says this will have more workers helping in long-term care homes.

"Our long-term care homes are under attack or at high risk of an attack from this deadly virus. That's why we are continually shoring up our defences and fortifying the iron ring of protection around these vulnerable seniors and staff. These new emergency orders will allow us to get even more boots on the ground in our long-term care homes, and ensure those with visual or hearing disabilities continue receiving the support they deserve."

The new and amended emergency orders being introduced will:

- Allow health service providers, including hospitals, to temporarily reassign frontline staff to provide services and supports in long-term care homes. This will help to quickly provide much-needed staffing support to long-term care homes while they continue to fight outbreaks.

- Provide staffing flexibility to service providers and employers in the intervenor services sector, which helps people who have a combined loss of hearing and vision. This will give employers the temporary authority to redirect staff to carry out essential tasks to support and protect people who are deafblind. It will also ensure staffing measures are in place to allow for physical distancing.

- Permit the use of allotment gardens and community gardens across the province. These gardens are an essential source of fresh food for some individuals and families, including those who face food insecurity. Local medical officers of health will provide advice, recommendation and instruction s that the gardens must meet in order to operate, such as physical distancing, and cleaning and disinfecting commonly used equipment and surfaces.

In addition, the Province is changing an emergency order to help make sure there is food security for some individuals and families amid the pandemic.