Ontarians are being urged to stay home to help curb the spread of COVID-19, as "non-essential" workplaces have been forced to close for the next two weeks - at least.
Premier Doug Ford's mandatory closure order took effect this morning, though a broad range of businesses are exempted as "essential" or because they have moved to "the provision of work and services...either online, by telephone, or by mail [or] delivery", while "teleworking and online commerce are [still] permitted...for all businesses".
Ontario's launched a hotline to support businesses with questions about the emergency order closing "non-essential" workplaces.
Dubbed the "Stop the Spread Business Information Line", the toll-free line - 1-888-444-3659 - is meant to address questions about the closure order or how other emergency measures impact businesses or employment.