The Ontario government says public health orders currently in effect across the province will remain in place for another month.

The current orders under the Reopening Ontario Act will remain in force until Dec. 21.

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones says extending the orders will ensure the province can address the health crisis and deliver critical services such as health care.

The government is also expected to release new public health measures on Friday to fight the surging spread of COVID-19 in hot spot regions.

Premier Doug Ford has scheduled a news conference for 3:30 p.m. CHCH News will carry that live.

Earlier this week, he said the restrictions will affect Toronto as well as Peel and York regions where virus cases have been increasing in recent weeks.