page_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
section_title: Government response
hierarchical_section_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario / Government response
caption_attribution_description: English: A closure notice on some of the doors of Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in light of a school shutdown over COVID-19. The shutdown was announced the day before (12 March 2020) by the provincial government and the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce. It affected all publicly-funded schools in the province and was set to take place beginning on the 16th.
context_page_description: The COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario is an ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The first identified case of COVID-19 in Canada during the 2019–20 worldwide pandemic occurred in the Canadian province of Ontario after it arrived on January 22, 2020, when a man returned to Toronto from travel in China, including Wuhan; the case was announced on January 25 and by March 17 the province had cases spread through community transmission.
  On March 17, the Government of Ontario declared a state of emergency, ordering the closure of indoor recreational programs, public libraries, theatres, cinemas, private schools, daycares and the prohibition of all public gatherings of more than 50 people. Bars and restaurants however were allowed to remain open, but only for those that offer takeout and delivery services. By order of the province, starting March 24, non-essential businesses were closed and on March 30, a province-wide closure of all outdoor recreational amenities began.
context_section_description: Ontario has announced they have a dedicated web page updated twice daily with the total and new cases.  In addition, they have been making new releases as cases are confirmed, with their source whether they are due to travel history or close contact.  Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton is overseeing the emergency plan for the virus.
caption: Notice of school closure at a YCDSB high school in Markham. Note the stated reopening date in what was initially expected to be a brief lockdown.
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