Ontario Declares Second State of Emergency

As a result of COVID-19 cases doubling in the past two weeks and the potential capacity risk to Ontario’s health care system, the Government of Ontario is declaring another provincial emergency and imposing a stay-at-home order effective Thursday, January 14, 2021at 12:01 a.m.

While all the details have not been finalized, some of the “additional public health restrictions” over and above those introduced in the Provincewide Shutdown include;

• Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open. 
• All non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m.
• Ontario will be placed under a stay-at-home order, which will require everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy; accessing health-care services; exercising; or doing essential work

Further guidance is expected soon but for now Premier Doug Ford has said “I know essential means different things to different people … so we need everyone to use their best judgment. If you’re not sure if a trip is absolutely essential, it probably isn’t.”

In that vain, Talka encourages members to call ahead to see if we can meet their financial needs over the phone.

Talka will continue to stay open for members but will temporarily suspend Saturday hours and cut back Thursday hours to 9 am to 5 pm. New memberships will be opened by appointment only. Please call 905-544-7125 to schedule an appointment and start the application process by phone to reduce your in-branch wait time.