News Release
May 20, 2020

Mayor John Tory, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, and Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management Matthew Pegg today provided an update on the City’s continuing response to COVID-19.

With additional park amenities reopening today, residents are reminded of the importance of adhering to public health advice to practise physical distancing or wear a face covering or non-medical mask to protect others when in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

There are 9,129 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 263 cases since yesterday. There are 413 cases in hospital, with 92 in ICU. In total, 6,735 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 119 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 716 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform at toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto.

As the weather warms, residents are encouraged to head outside in their local neighbourhood for fresh air and exercise to support physical and mental well-being, but are reminded that physical distancing requirements remain in effect. People who are not from the same household must maintain a physical distance of two metres in a park or public square.

The COVID-19 enforcement team will continue responding to complaints and proactively patrolling parks and other public spaces, in an effort to ensure public understanding of the need to limit social interactions. Officers are out educating residents on the City’s physical distancing bylaw and the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders, and only issuing tickets in circumstances where education efforts have failed.

Yesterday, the City received 64 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Bylaw officers issued three tickets for physical distancing. This month, bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 4,000 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofto.

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