Last updated: July 31, 2020 at 4:45 p.m.
As Toronto begins to reopen, health and safety remains a top priority. Learn about what to expect and what is required as you begin to visit more establishments and take part in more activities.
Toronto’s Stage of Reopening
The Provincial government outlined Ontario’s gradual, staged approach to reopening the province, restarting the economy and easing the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the COVID‑19 outbreak in A Framework for Reopening our Province. Toronto entered Stage Three on Friday, July 31. As Toronto enters this next stage, please continue to follow public health advice to keep yourself and others safe.
Under the Stage 3 order and regulation made under the Province’s Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, nearly all businesses and public spaces can gradually reopen, with workplace safety and public health measures in place.
When to Wear a Mask
As of July 7, wearing a mask or face covering is required in indoor public spaces under the Mandatory Mask or Face Covering Bylaw. A mask or face covering is also recommended outdoors when physical distancing is not possible. Get more information about masks and face coverings.
Learn more about actions you should take to reduce virus spread, including practising physical distancing.
Follow These Tips to Protect Yourself & Others
Apartments & Condominiums
Being Active & Getting Outdoors
Beaches
- Stay home if you are sick
- If the beach is busy, go to another beach or return at a different time
- Bring sunscreen, water bottle, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes with you
- Swimming without the supervision of a lifeguard or outside designated swimming areas is not recommended
- Supervise children at all times
- Stay two metres (six feet) apart from those not in your household or social circle as much as possible
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering if it is difficult to maintain physical distance
- Frequently wash your hands and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Find locations and learn about any service changes at beaches.
Download the Stay Safe at the Beach during COVID-19 infographic.
Dog Parks
Outdoor play for dogs and their owners is encouraged to stay active and healthy. Keep everyone safe, including your dog, by keeping your dog on a leash when outdoors, and by following these tips when visiting a dogs off-leash area:
- Stay home if you or your dog are sick
- Keep two metres (six feet) distance from other owners and dogs
- Avoid the area if crowded and come back at another time
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering if it is difficult to maintain distance
- Wash or sanitize your hands after touching surfaces (e.g. gates)
- Clean any dog toys thoroughly with soap and water when you return home
For more information, read the use of dogs off-leash guidelines and find a dog off-leash area.
Golf Courses
- Stay home if you are sick
- Reserve your tee time. Walk-ons are not permitted at this time
- Arrive no more than 20 minutes before tee time, and leave after your round
- Keep six feet (two metres) distance from others
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering if it is difficult to maintain physical distance
- Wash or sanitize your hands often and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
- Do not share clubs, balls or pull carts with other players
- Do not touch flag sticks. Play concludes when the ball hits the cup
- Wipe down and clean your equipment when you return home
Find golf course locations and read the guidelines for golf course operators.
Parks
Residents are encouraged to go outside for fresh air and exercise.
- Stay home if you are sick
- Stay two metres (six feet) apart from those not in your household or social circle as much as possible
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering when it is difficult to maintain physical distance
- Avoid crowded places, and try to visit when the park is less busy
- Do not gather with people outside your household or social circle
- Do not arrange play dates for children
- Step aside or pass others quickly and courteously on walking paths and trails
- Wash or sanitize your hands often and avoid touching your face with unwashed hand
- Bring your own sports equipment and toys for your children to play with
- Clean toys with soap and water thoroughly when you return home
Park Amenities
Learn what park amenities are open and closed and the guidelines for permitting the use of sports fields and multi-use fields during COVID-19.
Swimming Pools
- Stay home if you are sick
- Bring your own goggles, water bottles, towel and flotation device, if needed
- Sign in on arrival
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering when you can’t maintain physical distance while changing or in enclosed areas. Masks are not required in the pool
- Keep two metres (six feet) apart from others
- Plan to attend when less busy
- Pool capacity is limited to 25 per cent to maintain physical distancing
- Swimming is limited to 45 minutes to allow for cleaning
- Frequently wash your hands and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Find locations and read the guidelines for operating recreational water facilities. Also learn about wading pools and splash pads.
Download the Have Fun and Stay Safe at the Swimming Pool infographic.
Tennis Courts
- Stay home if you are sick
- Book court time in advance, if possible
- Bring your own equipment, towel, hat, water bottle and sun screen
- Mark your tennis balls and handle only the ones that belong to you
- Do not share equipment with others
- Only play singles; unless playing with household members
- Keep two metres (six feet) distance from others
- Stay on your side of the court and cross at opposite sides of the net when changing sides
- Wash or sanitize your hands often and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
- Wear a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces, such as change rooms
- Leave the court and the facility after your game
- Wipe down and clean your equipment when you return home
For more information, read the Use of Community Club Tennis Courts Guidelines and the Use of Public Tennis Courts Guidelines.
Children's Activities
Camps
- Explain to children that camp will be different this year because of COVID-19
- Monitor children for COVID-19 symptoms and keep them at home if they are sick
- Teach children about proper, frequent hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette
- Remind children to avoid touching their face with unwashed hands
- Remind children about physical distancing and to follow instructions from staff
- Answer health screening questions before dropping off children
- Instruct children not to share food, toys or other personal items
- Children are expected to wear face coverings/masks when in indoor spaces. Provide two to three clean face coverings per child each day, and two resealable bags to store them in
Learn more about the guidelines for camps.
Child Care Centres
Learn about guidelines for child care centre operators.
Playgrounds
- Follow caregiver guidelines provided by Toronto Public Health, as indicated on the posted signage
- Teach your children proper handwashing, to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and to cover their cough
- Wash or sanitize your hands often and before and after using the playground
- Monitor yourself and your child for symptoms of COVID-19
- Stay home if you or your child is sick
- Bring your own hand sanitizer, wipes, water, sun screen and personal items
- Keep a distance of two metres (six feet) from others, when possible
- Wear a mask or face covering when it is difficult to maintain physical distancing; do not apply a mask on children under the age of two
- If a playground is busy, find another park or come back later.
Toronto Public Health has created a guidance document for owners and operators of outdoor playgrounds and fitness equipment to help children play safely at reopened playgrounds.
Wading Pools & Splash Pads
- Stay home if you or your child is sick
- If it is busy, come back another time
- Stay two metres (six feet) apart from others
- Wear a mask or face covering if it is difficult to maintain physical distance. Masks are not required in the wading pool or splash pad
- Tell kids to use their elbow or the back of their hand to press buttons
- Supervise your children at all times
- Frequently wash hands and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Learn about any service changes to wading pools and splash pads and read the guidelines for operating recreational water facilities.
Download the Have Fun and Stay Safe at Splash Pads and Wading Pools infographic.
Community Activities (Farmers Markets, Community Gardens, etc.)
Dining Out
Food Trucks
- Stay home if you are sick
- If the food truck is busy or crowded, try coming back at another time
- Check if they offer online or phone ordering services. Order in advance for pick up, when possible
- Stay two metres (six feet) apart from others and wear a mask when in line or ordering
- Follow instructions on where to wait and pick up orders
- Wash or sanitize your hands before and after eating
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
- Only take off your mask or face covering when eating
- Enjoy your food away from the truck – take it home or have a picnic
Learn about guidelines for food truck operators.
Download the Take Out at Your Favourite Food Truck during COVID-19 infographic.
Indoor Dining
- Wear a mask or face covering except when eating
- Remain seated at all times except when entering or exiting, using the washroom, or paying
- Tables should be separated by at least two metres/six feet or have plexiglass or other impermeable barriers separating them
- Restaurants are to maintain customer logs that can be used by Toronto Public Health for contact tracing purposes
Learn more about Toronto Public Health guidance for restaurants and signage and download the Dining Out at a Restaurant during COVID-19 infographic.
Under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, businesses and facilities that reopen to the public must continue to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that customers and members of the public who visit the business or facility are able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres/six feet from other people.
Under the City’s mask bylaw, all operators of indoor public spaces must post the required bylaw signage and have a policy requiring customers and employees to wear a mask while indoors.
Patios
- Stay home if you are sick
- Make a reservation if possible
- If the patio is busy, try coming back at another time or find another place
- Stay two metres (six feet) apart from others while waiting for a table or takeout order
- Wear a mask or face covering except when eating
- Enjoy with your household or social circle only
- Wash or sanitize your hands before eating and after leaving
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Learn about guidelines for restaurant operators.
Also read Toronto Public Health’s guidance for food safety and grocery shopping.
Drive-in/Drive-Through Events
Drive-in Theatres
- Stay home if you are sick
- Purchase your tickets in advance by phone or online if possible
- Park in a designated spot to ensure physical distancing between vehicles
- Stay in your vehicle except to use the washrooms or in an emergency
- If you do leave your vehicle, stay two metres (six feet) apart from others
- Wear a mask or face covering if it is difficult to maintain physical distance and in indoor public spaces, such as washrooms
- Food and beverage may be purchased for delivery to your vehicle
- Do not share items between vehicles or with people outside of your social circle
- Frequently wash or sanitize your hands and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Learn about the guidelines for operators and find events.
Download the Visiting a Drive-in or Drive-thru Event infographic.
Faith-Based Services & Events
- Stay home if you are sick
- Greet others with a smile, bow or wave
- Bring your own materials (e.g. prayer book, rug)
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering if it is difficult to maintain physical distance and in indoor public spaces
- Stay two metres (six feet) apart as much as possible
- Do not sing or chant as germs can spread more easily
- Keep your children with you and do not gather in groups
- Rituals like communion are not recommended
- Frequently wash or sanitize your hands and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Learn about guidelines for faith-based organizations and weddings and funerals.
Download the Safely Attending Faith-Based Services infographic.
Gatherings
- Indoor gatherings of up to 50 people are permitted
- Outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people are permitted
- Keep a distance of two metres (six feet) from anyone outside your household or 10-person social circle.
The City’s bylaws on physical distancing in City parks and squares and the mandatory mask or face covering bylaw for indoor public spaces remain in effect.
Read Toronto Public Health’s guidance for indoor and outdoor events and gatherings.
Getting Around
Bus, Streetcar & Subway
- Do not use public transit if you are sick or self-isolating
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering (masks are now mandatory on the TTC and GO Transit)
- Avoid travelling during peak hours if possible
- Use your elbow/arm to push buttons/open doors
- Keep a distance of two meters (six feet) from others if possible
- Throw your garbage in a bin
- Wash or sanitize your hands often and avoid touching your face
- Avoid lineups at PRESTO refill stations by loading money onto your PRESTO card online or using their app
Learn more about mandatory masks and face coverings, changes to boarding, payments, and cleaning practices on the TTC and GO Transit websites.
Download the Using Public Transit during COVID-19 infographic.
Driving, Walking & Cycling
Learn about ActiveTO which provides quiet streets, closing of major roads for active transportation, and expanding the cycling network to help people get around while practising physical distancing.
Taxis & Ride Shares
- Sit in the back and keep the windows open
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering
- Wash or sanitizer your hands when you reach your destination
Learn about guidelines for taxi and ride share operators.
Toronto Island Ferry
- Stay home if you are sick
- The ferry service is operating at half capacity and with a reduced summer schedule. Expect line-ups
- You must purchase tickets in advance and tickets are only valid for the date selected
- Washrooms at the terminal and at Toronto Island Park are open. Learn how to safely use public washrooms
- Passengers are required to wear masks or face coverings
- Keep two meters (six feet) apart from others
- Frequently wash your hands and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Learn more about the Toronto Island Ferry.
Personal Care Services (Haircuts, Tattoos, Nails, etc.)
Includes haircut, nails, tattooing, piercing and other aesthetic services:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Make an appointment
- Wait outside until you are called in
- Wear a mask or face covering while indoors
- Stay two metres (six feet) apart as much as possible
- Wash or sanitize your hands often and avoid touching your face with unwashed hand
Learn about guidelines for operators.
Retail Stores & Shopping Malls
Visiting City of Toronto Long-Term Care Homes
- Stay home if you are sick
- You must preschedule your visit with the home to ensure there is sufficient space and that all health and safety protocols are in place
- Up to two visitors per resident are permitted at a time, as long as:
- the home is not experiencing an outbreak
- visitors can attest they have had a negative COVID-19 test within the past two weeks
- Indoor visitors will be provided with a surgical mask to wear throughout the visit
- Outdoor visitors are asked to bring and wear their own face covering (mask)
Learn about any service changes for senior services and long-term care homes.
Washrooms
- Wear a mask or face covering if it is difficult to maintain physical distance and in indoor public spaces
- Only share a washroom stall with people from your household
- Stagger your entrance into and exit from public washrooms in an effort to maintain physical distance
- If the washroom is busy, go to another washroom or return at a different time
- Where possible, utilize electronic push buttons or sensors to open doors, turn on sinks, flush toilets
- Wash or sanitize your hands when entering and prior to exiting a public washroom
- Avoid touching frequently touched hard surfaces
- If possible, use every other stall and sink
- To meet physical distancing guidelines, some sinks and urinals may be closed off
- Public washrooms may have reduced hours of operation to allow for enhanced cleaning
Find public washroom locations and read the read the full guidelines for using public washrooms.
Weddings & Funerals
- Ask guests to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms and stay home if they are sick
- Ask guests who are at high risk or are aged 70 or over to attend virtually
- Plan for no more than 100 people at outdoor events and 30 per cent of the room’s capacity for indoor events
- A mask or face covering is required when indoors and is recommended outdoors when it is difficult to maintain physical distance
- Provide hand sanitizer and encourage guests to wash their hands frequently
- Remind guests to avoid touching their face with unwashed hands
- Post signs and arrange seating that is two metres (six feet) apart
Read Toronto Public Health’s guidance for indoor and outdoor events and gatherings.
