Eviction orders in Ontario have been put on hold, and there could be a stop to new orders in light of COVID-19.

In an email to the Mercury Tribune Monday evening, Jesse Robichaud, spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, said the province’s “top priority is the health of well-being of Ontarians and we are actively looking at all tools and options to protect families and individuals as the public health situation evolves.

“For example, we understand that Tribunals Ontario is reviewing pending eviction matters in light of the rapidly evolving circumstances related to COVID-19 and that no new eviction orders will be issued until further notice,” he added.

“In addition, Sheriff’s offices have been asked to postpone any scheduled enforcement of eviction orders currently set for this week.”

Julia Timoshenko, a spokesperson for Tribunals Ontario, confirmed that no new eviction orders will be issued "until further notice."

On Monday afternoon, the Legal Clinic of Guelph and Wellington County tweeted that it had been informed orders from the Landlord and Tenant Board, which would include evictions, would not be enforced until further notice.

Anthea Millikin, the clinic’s executive director, said under a typical eviction order, an order from the Landlord and Tenant Board would go from the landlord to the sheriff’s office, who would then go to the property in question to enforce the order and change the locks.

“So from what we understand right now is that the sheriff won’t be doing that part,” she said.

On Friday, Tribunals Ontario announced all in-person hearings were being postponed and rescheduled to a later date. When feasible, hearings may be done over the phone.

Millikin says this, coupled with some potentially getting kicked out of their homes, means putting evictions on hold for now is the right call.