The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19. As the city moves to Stage 3 of reopening today, it remains critical that residents continue to follow Toronto Public Health’s advice to stay home when ill, wash hands often, practise physical distancing and wear a face covering or mask in all indoor public spaces.
There are 15,371 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 20 since yesterday. There are 84 people hospitalized. In total, 13,891 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 43 since yesterday. To date, there have been 1,158 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
Under Stage 3, restaurants and bars are now permitted to offer indoor dine-in service, with a number of requirements in place including, separating tables by at least two metres or using plexiglass or other impermeable barriers to separate customers at different tables; prohibiting dancing, singing or musical performances except by performers under contract to the establishment; patrons must be seated at all times except when entering or exiting, using the washroom, or while placing or picking up an order or paying for an order; maintaining customer logs to be used by Toronto Public Health for contact tracing purposes; and more.
Enforcement officers from Municipal Licensing & Standards, Toronto Public Health, Toronto Police Service and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will once again be conducting proactive inspections of liquor-licensed establishments in the city this weekend and addressing businesses that, despite widespread efforts to educate them on public health requirements to keep their customers, employees and the public safe, continue to disobey provincial orders.
The Province’s Stage 3 order sets capacity or occupant limits for businesses or facilities now open to the public. Operators of businesses and facilities must limit the number of people in the premises so that every member of the public is able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person unless the specific type of business or facility has a reopening condition that allows people to be closer together.
As more of the city’s businesses continue to reopen, 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.
Provincial orders under the Reopening Ontario Act and the City bylaw on physical distancing remain in effect. Yesterday, the City received 27 complaints related to parks use and physical distancing. Officers have cautioned nearly 6,600 people this month about physical distancing, alcohol, bonfires and littering bylaws.
As COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community, residents visiting a beach or park must practise physical distancing and avoid crowding. 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.
Bylaw officers, Toronto Police and Toronto Fire will have a highly visible presence at beaches and parking lots to ensure that crowds, bonfires and other prohibited activities do not occur or are dealt with quickly should they occur. Parking enforcement will also have a significant presence this weekend, with tagging and towing of illegally parked vehicles in the vicinity of beaches where parking is restricted.
Parking restrictions will be in place at the following beaches starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Marie Curtis Park, Humber Bay West Park, Humber Bay East Park, Cherry Beach and Bluffer’s Park. Vehicles leaving beach parking lots after 7 p.m. will be able to do so freely.
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.