Send this page to someone via email

Share this item on Twitter

Share this item via WhatsApp

Share this item on Facebook

The Ontario government has ordered child care centres to stop collection payments from parents while the facilities are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The emergency order, which also temporarily protects the spaces of children, was announced Friday afternoon.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]

“COVID-19 has imposed significant financial pressure on working parents,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement.

READ MORE: Ontario government to open child care centres for frontline workers

As for private-sector child care providers, the government encouraged those businesses and operators to apply for the federal government’s emergency benefits.

A government spokesperson said the order went into effect on Thursday and is not retroactive.

In March, all child care centres except for certain home-based providers and those providing services to health care and frontline workers were ordered to be closed under an emergency order.

Story continues below advertisement