Ontario's stay-at-home order extended in Toronto, Peel until at least March 8

The Ontario government announced the stay-at-home order will be extended in Toronto, Peel and North Bay-Parry Sound District for an additional two weeks, until at least March 8.

York Region will move out of the stay-at-home order and into the Red-Control level of the reopening framework as of Feb. 22.

"Our government's number one priority is the safety of all individuals and families, and that's why we are taking a gradual, cautious approach to returning regions to the framework," a statement from Christine Elliott, Ontario's Deputy Premier and Minister of Health reads.

"These are difficult but necessary decisions, in order to protect against COVID-19 variants and maintain the progress we have all made together. Until vaccines are widely available, we continue to urge all Ontarians to follow public health advice and measures, and stay home, stay safe, and save lives."

Case rates in Peel between Feb. 8 and Feb. 17 totalled 83.4 cases per 100,000 people and 67.9 cases per 100,000 people in Toronto, during the same time period.

North Bay-Parry Sound District saw its case rate increase by more than 11 per cent to 14.6 cases per 100,000 people between Feb. 8 and Feb. 19.

Additionally, Lambton Public Health will be moving from the Orange-Restrict level to the Red-Control due to "worsening public health trends" over the past week. This will also come into effect on Feb. 21.

"While the health indicators have improved enough to allow us to return an additional region to the Framework, we are not yet at the point where we can safely transition back the remainder of the province," a statement from Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health reads.

"Everyone is strongly advised to continue staying at home, avoid social gatherings, only travel between regions for essential purposes, and limit close contacts to your household or those you live with regardless of which level of the Framework you are in."

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