While the premier has hinted more businesses will be allowed to open Thursday, the Ontario government has extended the emergency measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 until June 2.

The Ontario legislature met this afternoon to pass the amendment which extends orders such as allowing only five people in a gathering and keeps health care workers from moving between long term care homes to work.

It also includes a number of changes including allowing school board trustees to meet virtually for longer periods of time, allowing corporations to meet virtually and extending the time they must have an annual meeting. The legislation also makes several financial and legal transactions easier with email.

The legislation also allows Metis communities to delay elections until remote voting can be organized.

“Extending the declaration of emergency will allow us to continue to take action to protect Ontarians, while carefully and cautiously reopening more parts of our economy,” said Premier Doug Ford in a news release.

Earlier today, Ford suggested more businesses would be allowed to reopen. That announcement is expected Thursday.