BREAKING: Ford government considers stay-at-home order extension until June 2

Ontario is still currently under its strictest COVID response measures since the pandemic's first wave.

The likely scenario sees the stay-at-home orders extended until June 2. "We need to see a pretty significant drop in the number of cases," Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott told reporters.

The Ford government's stay-at-home order has been in effect since April 8, and was slated to last six weeks—meaning the province was set to open up just a few days before the May 24 weekend.

There currently is no official word on whether or not the province will open back up. According to President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), small business owners are beginning to wonder if the reopening date is a "pipe dream."

This must be particularly true for Toronto-area retailers, who have been closed for 200 days, hair salons for 255 days, gyms for 326 days, and indoor dining for 333 days. Kelly says.

According to the province's data, April 8 saw 3,215 new infections reported. May 9's new cases sat at just 2,716, the lowest number of new cases reported since April 1.

Rolling averages also decreased from last week, deflating from 3,887 to 3,017.