MORE RESTRICTIONS AS COVID CASES SKYROCKET

With more than 4,800 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the province today, Premier Doug Ford has pulled yet another trigger, extending the state of emergency and stay-at-home order for an additional two weeks, for a total of six weeks.

Effective Saturday (April 17), you won't be able to socially gather, at outdoor gatherings and organized public events, with anyone except members of your household and if you live alone, you can join with one other household.

In addition, he announced that:

• Outdoor recreational amenities – golf courses, basketball courts, playgrounds and soccer fields – will be closed

• Capacity at big box and discount retail outlets will now be restricted to a maximum of 25 percent of capacity.

• All non-essential construction will be halted.

• As of Monday, checkpoints will be set up at interprovincial borders and crossings between Ontario and Manitoba and Quebec will be limited (with the exception of those going for work, medical care and transportation of goods.

• Places of worship, as of Monday, will be restricted to a maximum of 10 people indoors or outdoors, with drive-in services allowed.

Ford also said there will be increased enforcement of public health measures, with police having the temporary authority to stop people to question them on the purpose of their trip.

Locally, Haliburton Kawartha Pineridge District Health Unit reported 30 new cases an 1 death today. Peterborough Public Health logged 18 new cases yesterday.