The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. Mayor John Tory and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa today provided an update on the City’s continuing response to COVID-19 and recovery and rebuild progress.
There are 15,337 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of just five cases since yesterday. There are 92 people hospitalized. In total, 13,772 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 21 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 1,150 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
As COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community, residents visiting a beach or park must practise physical distancing and avoid crowding. Torontonians are reminded to respect parks and beaches for the enjoyment of all. Bonfires, littering and parties involving excessive alcohol are not permitted. If a litter bin is full, residents are asked to take their garbage with them so it can be disposed of properly. Barbecues and hibachi grills are not allowed on beaches.
On Friday, July 24, the Province of Ontario’s Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 (ROA) came into force. Orders and regulations previously made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA), are continued under the ROA and they are being enforced by the City’s COVID-19 Enforcement Team. More information about the ROA is available on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website.
Provincial orders under the ROA and the City bylaw on physical distancing remain in effect. Yesterday, the City received 58 complaints related to parks use and physical distancing. Officers have cautioned more than 6,300 people this month about physical distancing, alcohol, bonfires and littering bylaws. From Friday to Sunday, enforcement officers issued 20 tickets related to liquor, open fires, and social distancing.
Over the weekend, enforcement officers from Municipal Licensing & Standards, Toronto Public Health, Toronto Police Service, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario also conducted inspections of liquor-licensed establishments in the city and addressed businesses that continue to disobey provincial orders. Inspectors investigated 33 complaints about restaurants and bars this weekend. A total of eight were found to be non-compliant. One charge and seven warnings were issued by officers.
Toronto restaurants and bars are open for delivery, takeout and outdoor dining only. Customers can only be inside a restaurant or bar to access an outdoor dining area (i.e. walk through to a back patio), pick up food, pay or use the washroom. While within the enclosed public space, customers and employees must wear a mask as required by the establishment’s mask policy and the City’s Mask or Face Covering Bylaw.
The City continues to prepare to safely reopen additional amenities, as Toronto moves towards Stage 3 of reopening. To help stop the spread of COVID-19, residents should continue to follow Toronto Public Health’s advice to stay home when they are ill, wash hands often, practise physical distancing and wear a face covering or mask in all indoor public spaces. Residents can learn about what to expect and what is required as Toronto moves into the new normal and they begin to visit more establishments and take part in more activities at toronto.ca/ReopenTO.
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 the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.