On April 17, 2021, Ontario announced a stricter stay-at-home order and extended it to six weeks. Earlier, the province had announced the order for four weeks. The province’s COVID-19 cases were climbing to record-breaking levels at the time.
This post was first published on April 17, 2021. The rules below are from that time and no longer apply.
Why Ontario tightened the stay-at-home order
On April 17, 2021, Ontario reported more than 4,800 COVID-19 cases a day. That set another daily record for the province. Seeing the dire need, the Trudeau government sent the Red Cross to Ontario. Its job was to help in the fight against the rising number of cases.
Reports also warned that Ontario could see more than 30,000 cases a day if people did not take strict measures seriously. Therefore, the province chose to make the stay-at-home order stricter and longer. For many families, that meant six more weeks of working, learning and living mostly at home.
It was a hard time for many people. Kids could not see their friends. Grandparents could not hug their grandchildren. Small shops lost sales. Still, most people did their part and stayed home as much as they could.
What Premier Ford said about the new measures
Premier Ford spoke at a joint press conference with the health minister and other cabinet members. He explained why the government was moving so quickly. Here is what he said:
“As the latest modelling confirms, without taking immediate and decisive action COVID-19 cases will spiral out of control and our hospitals will be overwhelmed.”
His message was clear. The province saw the stricter rules as a way to protect hospitals. At the same time, it asked everyone to limit contact outside their own household.
For most of us, that meant a simple routine. We went out for food, medicine, work we could not do from home, and some fresh air. Then we came back home. It was not easy, but it was clear. And the rules in the stay-at-home order spelled out what people could and could not do.
Measures in the stricter stay-at-home order
Here is the excerpt from the Ontario government’s press release. “The government also intends to implement the following public health and workplace safety measures effective Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 12:01 a.m.:
- Prohibit all outdoor social gatherings and organized public events, except for with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone or a caregiver for any member of the household;
- Close all non-essential workplaces in the construction sector;
- Reduce capacity limits to 25 per cent in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers’ markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies; and,
- Close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds with limited exceptions.
In addition, effective Monday, April 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the government is limiting the capacity of weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies to 10 people indoors or outdoors. Social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions are prohibited, except for with members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone. Drive-in services will be permitted.”
To see the full press release, please go to the Ontario government news release. Current provincial information is on the Government of Ontario website.
What the lockdown meant for families at home
Months at home changed how many families saw their houses. Kitchen tables became offices. Bedrooms became classrooms. Backyards and balconies became the only place to get fresh air. So when the stay-at-home order finally lifted, many people had a new list of must-haves.
For example, some wanted a home office with a door. Others wanted a bigger yard, or a quieter street near parks. Meanwhile, some families decided they could live farther from work, since they no longer commuted every day. These changes shaped buyer demand across Mississauga and the GTA.
If you want to follow the story, read about how Ontario went into a province-wide shutdown. You can also see what came next in Ontario’s reopening plan. Together, they show how quickly the rules changed that year.
Today, the lessons still help. A home is more than a place to sleep. It is also where we work, learn and rest. Think about how your home works for you on an ordinary weekday, not just on weekends. If it no longer fits, it may be time to plan your next move with care.
Talk to a Mississauga real estate agent
Do you have questions about buying, selling or planning your next move? I am happy to help. You can reach me through my contact page or call me directly at 416 908 5600. A. Q. Mufti, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage.
