IKEA closing GTA stores throughout stay-at-home order

IKEA says it’s sheltering its many stores across the GTA with the state of emergency and stay-at-home order in effect as of Thursday.

In a statement to 680 NEWS, IKEA says it chose to shut down its many stores as “the safety and security of our customers, co-workers, and communities remains our top priority.”

“Aligned with the Province’s stay-at-home order announced today [Wednesday], we will temporarily close our five Ontario stores – IKEA Burlington, Etobicoke, Ottawa, North York, and Vaughan – to customers as of April 8, 2021,” the company said.

“Click & Collect, Home Delivery and Remote Planning services will continue to be available to customers in Ontario who are also advised to leave home only for essential reasons under the Ontario stay-at-home order.”

The closure of non-essential retail and new restrictions for big box stores has been introduced by the government.

Discount and big box stores are limited strictly to in-person retail for sales of groceries, household cleaning supplies, pharmacy items (including pharmaceutical, health care, and personal care items, and pet care supplies) only.

The majority of non-essential retailers will only be allowed to operate for curbside pick-up and delivery between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., with the delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

The emergency message on the province’s stay-at-home order that took effect today 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.

In March, IKEA announced that it will open its first downtown Toronto store at 382 Yonge Street, on the northwest corner of Yonge and Gerrard Streets, located in the AURA building.

IKEA Canada says the store will open sometime next year.