The Ontario government has issued an emergency order banning closed child care centres from collecting payment from parents.

The order also ensures their child’s space within the closed centre will be protected if parents do not pay any fees.

All child care centres in the province have been ordered closed, except for ones providing child care to frontline health care workers and other essential workers.

“COVID-19 has imposed significant financial pressure on working parents,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce in a press release. “We need to support our parents who may be facing reduced income or layoffs during the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Child care providers are being told they can get support from the federal government through the Economy Recovery Plan.

A spokeswoman says the emergency order is effective for payments made starting on April 9, meaning those who paid at the beginning of the month won’t get their money back.

With files from The Canadian Press