The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. While healthy residents are encouraged to get fresh air and exercise, provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders and the City bylaw on physical distancing remain in effect, requiring people who are not from the same household to maintain a physical distance of two metres in a park or public square.
There are 10,035 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 200 cases since yesterday. There are 377 cases in hospital, with 93 in ICU. In total, 7,397 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 195 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 759 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.
The enforcement team remains focused on providing education about the physical distancing bylaw and provincial orders. Ensuring compliance through education and awareness remains the preferred method of engagement, but enforcement continues to take place if necessary. Officers issued 14 tickets in parks yesterday, for a total of 90 parks tickets issued this month. Officers have also spoken to or cautioned more than 5,000 people – including more than 370 people yesterday.
Four of yesterday’s parks tickets were issued in Trinity Bellwoods Park. In many areas of the parks, residents were complying with the physical distancing bylaw and provincial orders. In the problem areas, the volume of park-goers and number that were publicly intoxicated, were a challenge for enforcement officers. Today, additional officers are in the park, with more intensive efforts that started earlier in the day and will continue into this evening.
Any two or more people who are not members of the same household, and who fail to keep at least two metres of distance between them in a park or public square, can receive a $1,000 ticket – which is the applicable set fine for the City’s Physical Distancing Bylaw. The public is also reminded that tickets can be issued for those who consume or have open alcohol in a public space; these fines are $300 and will be a part of enforcement in problematic parks.
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.
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