BREAKING: Ontario issuing a stay-at-home order, effective Thursday, to combat spread of #COVID19.

Order requires everyone to remain at home with exceptions such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, or for exercise or essential work.

Ontario also immediately declaring a second provincial emergency.

Healthcare system on the "brink of collapse," facing levels of #COVID19 never seen before in Ontario, says Premier Doug Ford, as new variant is also being reported in the province.

Ford's tone is different today. He's not blaming individuals, he's blaming the virus.

But, notably, he's not taking on any blame himself, even as province's own modelling shows "key public health indicators have continued to worsen" after last round of criticized restrictions.

On sick leave: "In the unfortunate event that an employee becomes infected with COVID-19, they may be entitled to federally funded paid sick leave of up to $500 a week for two weeks."

But no paid leave announced from Ontario today, despite calls to support essential workers.