Ontario Premier Doug Ford is declaring a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.The state of emergency prohibits organized public events of 50 or more people in Ontario until March 31.Effective immediately, all public libraries, private schools, licensed child daycares, theatres, cinemas and other public venues in the province must close.All bars and restaurants must close except to provide takeout food and delivery.Essential services such as grocery stores and pharmacies will continue to operate.

The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of March 16, 2020: Ontario: 177 confirmed, 5 resolved. British Columbia: 103 confirmed (including 4 deaths) 5 resolved Alberta: 74 confirmed. Quebec: 50 confirmed. Canadians quarantined at CFB Trenton: 8 confirmed. Manitoba: 7 confirmed, 1 presumptive. New Brunswick: 2 confirmed, 5 presumptive. Saskatchewan: 2 confirmed, 5 presumptive. Nova Scotia: 1 confirmed, 4 presumptive. Prince Edward Island: 1 confirmed. Newfoundland and Labrador: 1 presumptive. Total: 425 confirmed (including 4 deaths,) 16 presumptive, 10 resol

Canada is now denying entry to nearly everyone who isn't a Canadian citizen or permanent resident but Americans are exempt from that ban.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the level of integration between Canada and the United States is behind that decision. But he says there's more work to be done in the coming days to ensure Canadians are being kept safe and that the necessary goods keep flowing. Trudeau says Canada and the U.S. are co-ordinating closely.

Restaurant Brands International Inc. says it is asking Canadian Tim Hortons restaurant owners to provide take-out, drive-thru and delivery only in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.The company says it is closing all dining room seating effective Tuesday.The closures will continue until future notice.The change comes as governments across the country urge Canadians to engage in social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.Restaurant Brands says if there are further instructions from public health officials it will take further steps. Starbucks made a similar announcement over the

The Canada Border Services Agency says it is adding new screening questions for travellers arriving in Canada, asking whether they have symptoms of COVID-19.The agency took heat all weekend for apparent disarray at entry points, especially airports. While the federal government wants people returning to Canada from abroad to stay in isolation for 14 days, some travellers reported customs officials weren't routinely providing the direction to new arrivals.The union representing Canada's border officers, which is set to meet with the agency later today, also raised concerns last week about a lac

There are now 341 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada. All 10 provinces report cases either confirmed or presumptive. At a briefing today in Ottawa, Dr. Theresa Tam, the head of the Public Health Agency of Canada, calls the situation “serious”.She says the window for controlling the virus is narrowing.Tam says all the medical officers of health in Canada agree things like travel, and large gathering of 250 people or more must be cancelled.

The federal government says any Canadian who's abroad should get back home while it's still possible. That's a step up from previous advice, which urged travellers outside the country to think about doing so. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne tweeted the new recommendation. He warns that commercial travel options might not remain available amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Some countries have already taken measures such as stopping or sharply limiting air traffic.

Alberta is changing labour rules to provide 14 days of paid leave for workers who self-isolate due to the novel coronavirus or are caring for someone who has it. Premier Jason Kenney says employees will not need a doctor's note nor will they have had to work for 90 days previously to qualify. Alberta has announced six new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number in the province to 29. Publicly funded schools, however, will remain open. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, says the evidence on whether closing schools is an effective way of limiting the spread is not conclusive.

Canadians are being told to avoid non essential travel outside of the country and to be prepared not to be allowed back home if they do. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne issued the global travel advisory this afternoon, urging those currently aboard to consider ending their trip early. The government notes new border restrictions, flight cancellations and quarantines could prevent people from returning to Canada. And those out of the country should make sure they have enough money and necessities in case their plans are disrupted.