Ontario sends provincewide stay-at-home emergency alert to cell phones, devices

© Provided by Global News An emergency alert regarding the province’s stay-at-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic is viewed on a cell phone in Eastern Ontario on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

An Ontario-wide emergency alert was issued at 11 a.m. Thursday reminding residents that a stay-at-home order is now in effect amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

The order officially came into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. A third state of emergency was also declared.

“Only leave home for essential purposes such as food, health care, vaccines, exercise or work,” the alert read. “It is the law. Stay home, save lives.”

Read more: Ontario issuing stay-at-home order, declares 3rd state of emergency amid COVID-19 pandemic

Officials said the stay-at-home order will be enforced, but added that ultimately they need residents to comply with the regulations to get the spread of the virus under control.

Non-essential retail stores are limited to curbside pickup or delivery only. Big-box stores are limited to only selling food and pharmacy items, any other items must be blocked off.

Ontario issuing stay-at-home order, declares 3rd state of emergency amid spread of COVID-19 variants

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A similar alert was dispatched for the stay-at-home order amid the second wave.