News Release
June 22, 2020

The City of Toronto is preparing to oversee the safe restart of some services and partial reopening of many businesses following today’s Province of Ontario announcement that Toronto can join the rest of the province in Stage 2 of the provincial reopening on June 24.

On June 8, the Province announced the implementation of Stage 2 of their “Reopening Ontario” framework, lessening some restrictions under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders. While Toronto residents and businesses were permitted on June 12 to increase social gatherings to 10 people, open places of worship at 30 per cent capacity, and begin planning for July and August summer camps, the city has not been able to join much of the province in a wider reopening under Stage 2. With today’s announcement, Toronto will now move to this next stage.

Businesses that can reopen for modified services with appropriate public health measures in place and subject to conditions include:

  • restaurants and bars for delivery, takeout, and outdoor dining only
  • shopping malls, except for indoor dining spaces including any tables and seating in food courts
  • personal care services, such as barber shops, hair styling, nails, tattoos & aesthetic services (but not for care of a patron’s face, such as facials and beard trims)
  • drive-in cinemas and drive-thru concerts, theatrical productions, performance or artistic events.

Many recreational and cultural spaces can also reopen, subject to conditions:

  • water recreational services, including splash pads, wading pools, indoor and outdoor swimming pools
  • community centres for a very limited number of modified uses, including certain outdoor sports and recreational activities, day camp, pools, splash pads, spray pads and wading pools, and indoor activities and services other than non-aquatic indoor sports and recreational fitness activities.
  • Campgrounds, museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and heritage institutions
  • libraries with limited on-site services.

Examples of activities that can resume, subject to conditions:

  • film and television production
  • tours and guide services
  • certain personal services.

Under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, businesses and facilities that re-open to the public must 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 from other persons.

COVID-19 remains a risk in our community and no service can resume or space reopen without the proper public health measures in place. Led by Toronto Public Health and the Emergency Operations Centre, the City of Toronto has published a number of guidance documents for businesses and service providers to ensure they are operating with the safety of staff, customers, and the community as a priority. Businesses should locate and implement the guidance for their industry.

The Province of Ontario’s reopening framework is available online: ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario.

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/home/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

Quotes:

“Today is good news for Toronto and the many businesses who have been patiently waiting to open their doors again. The City of Toronto is ready to oversee the safe restart of some services and the partial reopening of many businesses following the provincial announcement. The progress we are seeing in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our community has led to this moment. Every Toronto resident and business who have done the right thing over the last three months by following public health advice have helped get us to this moment. I want to thank all our frontline workers who have been focused on fighting this pandemic. Their efforts have saved thousands of lives and have helped us get to the point where we can proceed to the next stage.”
– Mayor John Tory

“I am encouraged with today’s news towards safely reopening our city.  It has been a difficult journey for all of us, however, your continued efforts have resulted in a steady decrease in our COVID-19 cases, and for this I thank you.  While we are not completely out of the woods yet, please help us build on this momentum by keeping your distance from others outside your social circle, washing your hands, and wearing a cloth mask in indoor public spaces to protect others from your germs.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health

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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