It’s closing time for more Ontario businesses.

Most construction sites and all cannabis stores will be among the workplaces forced to close as Queen’s Park escalates the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Doug Ford said stores selling hardware, pet supplies, computer and office supplies, auto parts, and safety gear would be restricted to offering curbside or pickup services only.

However, supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, restaurants serving takeout, LCBO outlets, and the Beer Store will remain open after Ontario pared down the list of essential workplaces to 44 from 74 that were allowed to keep providing services as of March 25. Online cannabis sales will be allowed.

Work will only continue on critical infrastructure projects such as new hospitals, bridges, and roads as well as refineries and petrochemical plants.

While residential construction will continue for homes that are near completion — with 45,000 families estimated to be moving into newly constructed houses and condos in the coming months — new housing starts will cease.

The latest changes will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

“With today’s closures we’ve told the vast majority of Ontario’s workforce to stay home,” a grim-faced premier said Friday.

“We’ve had to do the unthinkable,” he said.

“I can tell you this was no easy task. I know that businesses are struggling to stay afloat through these rough waters, but lives are on the line, and we must take this action now.”

Ford made the announcement after new projections suggested 1,600 Ontarians could die of the disease by the end of April unless further measures are taken to stop the spread.

The premier, who is still considering a mandatory “stay home” order, warned further closures could loom.

“Everything’s on the table right now,” he told reporters in a Queen’s Park teleconference.

With a spring weekend upon us, Ford implored Ontarians to resist the temptation to get out and about, including avoiding their cottages.

“If this doesn’t give a wake-up call to people, I don’t know what does,” he said, referring to projections that predicted 100,000 Ontarians would have died from the virus over two years if the government hadn’t taken steps like closing schools and workplaces.

“It’s the responsibility of every person in this province to make sure that they follow the protocol that our chief medical officer has put forward. If we don’t do it, we’re going to be in serious, serious trouble.”

Ford emphasized that the measures are being taken in order to prevent Ontario’s hospitals from being overwhelmed by the coronavirus.

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“Hopefully we’re not going to see this weekend what we saw last weekend. Last weekend was just unacceptable. I understand, you have to get out, but avoid the parks,” he said.

“I understand if you just have to walk around the block once by yourself or a loved one, I get that. You’ve got to walk your dog, I understand that. But big gatherings in the Beach or in the parks? We have to get through this time frame right now.”

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, who has praised Ford for his actions on the crisis so far, said the premier “should shut down all non-essential construction sites.”

“Today’s announcement does not go far enough. The health and safety of our workers must come first,” said Del Duca.

Toronto Councillor Josh Matlow, who represents the fast-growing Ward 12 (Toronto-St. Paul’s), questioned the decision to allow permitted residential projects to continue.

“Every decision our government makes must be based on the advice of public health experts in the interest of saving lives,” said Matlow.

“Ontarians deserve to know why the province is allowing ongoing condo and residential construction to remain on the essential workplace list. How is it possibly essential during a pandemic? Is this decision based on the advice of public health or lobbyists?” he said.

“Doesn’t it put workers, along with the rest of us, at further risk? This appears reckless and dangerous.”

But the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association expressed support for Ford’s move.

“The health and safety of our workers is the industry’s number one priority,” said David Wilkes, president and CEO of BILD.

OHBA CEO Joe Vaccaro emphasized “we all want safe jobsites” as final construction is completed on homes.

“With the new provincial restrictions on active job sites, members will continue to focus on worker safety and delivering keys to the thousands of families waiting for their homes to be completed. Let’s keep each other safe. We are all in this together.”

With files from Jennifer Pagliaro

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

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