Appealing for calm, Premier Doug Ford is introducing a new law to ensure no one loses their job if forced to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and prohibiting employers from demanding sick notes.

“The reality is we’re facing some rough waters ahead, but we will get through this together,” he told reporters at Queen’s Park on Monday.

“Your government has your back,” the premier said, noting Labour Minister Monte McNaughton’s bill is designed to “protect workers and their families during this difficult period.”

McNaughton said his bill would “make it crystal clear that workers will not be required” to produce a doctor’s note to justify time off.

As well, it would “provide job protection” for employees unable to work if they are under medical investigation, supervision or treatment for COVID-19 or if they are in isolation or quarantine.

The move on sick notes follows weeks of pressure from the medical community and opposition parties, which said allowing employers to demand sick notes would waste doctors’ valuable time and result in people putting others at risk of infection by travelling to their MD and sitting in the waiting room.

“We want to make sure all of our resources are going to be spent on dealing with people who do have COVID-19,” said Health Minister Christine Elliott, who last week defended the government’s decision two years ago to scrap a Liberal law banning sick notes.

McNaughton said many workers would be eligible for federal Employment Insurance sickness benefits and the government is reviewing current access and eligibility to emergency assistance” via social assistance programs like Ontario Works.

“This is for workers who are self-isolating or in quarantine and workers who need to care for loved ones,” he said.

Even though the legislature is not sitting this week and a timeline for recalling the house to pass the law has not been set, McNaughton said it is be retroactive to Jan. 25 when the pandemic spread to Ontario.

That means workers should consider themselves already covered by its protections.

“It will be effective until we beat this disease. Mothers and fathers need to be able to take care of their kids. Workers who need to self-isolate should be able to do that,” McNaughton added.

Monday night, the province announced “new measures to help contain the virus, including the recommended closure of all recreational programs and libraries, private schools, daycares, churches and other faith settings, as well as bars and restaurants, except those that may only offer takeout or delivery,” according to a statement released by the premier’s office.

“These closures would be in line with the updated guidance to avoid large gatherings of over 50 people,” the statement said.

Dr. David Williams, the chief medical officer of health, said earlier it’s too soon to say whether there should be a broader shutdown of businesses.

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“We may have to,” said Williams. “That’s the next step we could do.”

Elliott recommended people skip crowded bars for Tuesday’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and said the government has talked about a broader shutdown, as it happening elsewhere in the world including Italy, Spain, several U.S. states and Quebec, along with the potential for declaring a state of emergency.

“If we have to do that…we will do that but we don’t believe we’re at that stage — yet. But this is a rapidly changing situation as everyone knows.

Also Monday, Ford implored people to buy only for their immediate weekly needs when shopping.

“There’s no need to rush out to stores and to panic buy and to hoard essential items that we will need,” he said, adding he has received assurances from retailers and manufacturers that “our supply chain is currently able to handle the additional pressure.”

“There is plenty of food and household essentials to go around. Be prepared but let’s make sure there’s enough for everyone.”

Finance Minister Rod Phillips, meanwhile, said his March 25 budget will be scaled back to a fiscal update to reflect the shifting economy.

“Circumstances have changed rapidly,” said Phillips, adding a full budget may have to wait until the fall.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath urged the government to include “additional measures” in its labour bill.

“We are pleased that the government has agreed to provide some job security, and prevent employers from requiring sick notes during this pandemic, but that alone falls well short of what folks need now,” she said.

Horwath said there should be “immediate financial support for small- and medium-sized businesses so they can continue to pay employees without becoming insolvent.”

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca said he would “encourage the government to continue to do what’s needed to support our economy, and in particular to help small- and medium-sized business — especially those who operate close to the margins.”

Robert Benzie is the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie