TORONTO -- Ontario's stay-at-home order, which came into effect 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, has left many residents confused about what is, and what isn't, considered essential.

CTV News Toronto was flooded with questions from readers, receiving more than 3,500 messages within 24 hours, asking for more specifics about what they are allowed to do when the order comes into effect.

Premier Doug Ford announced the stay-at-home order on Tuesday, saying that everyone will be required to remain at home, with the exception of essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store, pharmacy, accessing health-care services, exercising, or essential work.

The stay-at-home order will remain in effect for at least 28 days. Unless an outing is considered essential, Ontario residents are being ordered to stay home at all hours.

The confusion surrounding the rules also prompted the provincial government on Wednesday to release a list of answers to the most-asked questions they have received. 

"A common theme is recognizing government's inability to implement a single set of restrictions that are perfectly responsive to the unique circumstances of every single Ontarian," a spokesperson for Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday. "How someone in downtown Toronto adheres to the stay-at-home order, where there is easy and immediate access to online shopping or a big-box retailer, will look very different than someone in a rural or remote area who relies on smaller, independent retailers, many of which are limited to curb-side pickup or delivery."

"As such, and as we have from the very outset of this pandemic, we will continue to rely on the best judgment of Ontarians as they stay at home as much as possible and only leave their homes for essential purposes."