TORONTO -- The Ontario government has expanded its list of essential workers who are eligible for free emergency child care during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The expanded list, released Wednesday, includes people who work in the food supply chain, retirement homes, grocery stores and pharmacies, and certain federal employees, including the military.

Earlier this month, the province released a list of workers eligible for the child care service, which only included regulated health-care workers, police officers, correction officers and paramedics.

"Workers on the frontline are making a difference in this province," Education Minister Stephen Lecce said Wednesday. "These are Canada's heroes in many ways."

"We must do whatever it takes to assist those on the front lines as they work around the clock."

"I am proud that Ontario will support more frontline workers by expanding that list of individuals who are eligible to receive emergency child care."

Lecce said while they are expanding the list of people eligible for free child care, they have heightened their health and safety protocols.

"We have put in place strict guidelines and protocols ... No site can exceed 50 people, these centres must be thoroughly cleaned every day before opening. All staff must be screened before they enter the centre."

"Everyone is screened upon arrival and anyone with signs or symptoms is not permitted inside, zero tolerance folks."

The government says since emergency child care was introduced last month, more than 100 child care centres have reopened, along with 40 Licenced Home Child Care Agencies.

On Wednesday, the number of single day COVID-19 cases in Ontario dropped significantly, with provincial health officials confirming 347 new cases and 45 more deaths.

It was the lowest number of new cases in a single-day in three weeks.

The additional frontline workers able to access emergency childcare services include: