TORONTO - Ontarians have received emergency alerts on their cellphones, radios and televisions telling them to stay home.
The emergency message on the province's stay-at-home order that is now in effect was sent by the Ministry of the Solicitor General through the province's Alert Ready broadcast system.
The message asks people to only leave their homes for essential purposes such as food, healthcare, exercise or work.
It is the latest attempt to communicate the new public health measures that came into effect today as COVID-19 case counts surge.
The province has said there's no set definition for what is ``essential'' because everyone has their own unique circumstances and regional considerations.
Premier Doug Ford has urged people to use their ``best judgment'' in deciding whether to go out.