Five years have passed since Ontario’s first COVID-19 lockdowns, a moment that forever changed the province and the world. The pandemic altered daily life, and the decisions made in those early days still resonate today.
In the days leading up to March 17, 2020, when Ontario officially declared a state of emergency, the province had already begun taking steps to curb the spread of the virus. Businesses and governments were enacting measures ahead of the formal lockdown, trying to contain what was quickly becoming an unprecedented crisis.
The early months of the pandemic were marked by uncertainty, fear, and a series of rapidly evolving measures. As cases began to surface, Ontario’s response became increasingly urgent.
The first presumptive case of COVID-19 in Ontario—and in Canada—was reported on January 25, 2020. A man in his 50s, who had recently traveled from Wuhan, China, felt mild symptoms and contacted 911. He was immediately placed in isolation at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital. The next day, his wife tested positive, becoming the second confirmed case. Within just a couple of days, the man’s illness was officially confirmed as COVID-19.
As the days passed, the number of cases grew. On March 11, 2020, Ontario faced its first fatality linked to COVID-19—a 77-year-old man from Barrie. The same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, a pivotal moment that ignited a wave of life-altering decisions.
In Ontario, this declaration set the stage for sweeping actions: borders were closed, schools shut down, businesses were forced to close their doors, and social gatherings were banned. These drastic steps, once unimaginable, quickly became the new reality for Ontarians as the world braced for the long-term effects of the pandemic.
Over the ensuing months, the lockdowns in Ontario were often re-evaluated—some restrictions were lifted, while others were reintroduced, and the cycle continued as the province tried to adapt to the unpredictable course of the virus. This period of uncertainty and disruption marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that would challenge individuals, businesses, and governments in ways they had never anticipated.
Looking back on those early days, the first lockdowns in Ontario serve as a reminder of how quickly the world can change, and the lasting impact such a global event has on the way we live, work, and connect with one another.
