Ford: Ontario grocery stores will close two days at Easter

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says grocery stores and pharmacies in the province will remain closed this Friday and Sunday to give frontline workers a well-deserved break.

The announcement was made Wednesday afternoon--two days after Ford said he would ask major grocery store chains to remain open over the long holiday weekend to avoid crowding and to allow for social distancing during COVID-19.

Ford said his government had been “listening to business owners and employees” and acknowledged that frontline staff at grocery stores and pharmacies had been working around the clock to keep shelves stocked.

"One way we're saying thank you is making sure they have this Friday and Sunday off," said Ford. "They deserve a break and some quality time with their families."