News Release
April 20, 2021

As easily transmitted COVID-19 variants of concern spread quickly throughout Toronto and the GTA, outbreaks are increasingly linked to workplaces, where the virus can spread through close contact between workers.

To reduce this significant risk to the city’s health, Toronto Public Health (TPH) will issue a Section 22 order for workplaces. This Order is a necessary tool to break the chains of transmission within Toronto workplaces where COVID-19 is determined to be spreading.

  • The Order is planned to require the closure of certain workplaces, or portions of workplaces, where five or more confirmed cases are identified within a 14-day period and where cases could reasonably have been acquired through infection in the workplace.
  • The workplace closure will be in effect for a minimum period of 10 calendar days.
  • During this time, workers at the affected workplace will be required to self-isolate.
  • Certain workplaces, such as health care facilities, schools, child care centres, and workplaces providing critical services may be exempt from full closure requirements.

The Order will be available on the City of Toronto website, when issued, by Friday April 23, 2021.

Given the high case counts and number of workplace outbreaks in both Toronto and Peel, TPH has been working on the development of this order with Region of Peel Public Health. A similar authority was recently delegated by the Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia, where workplaces are being closed for 10 days when employees test positive for COVID-19.

The COVID-19 situation is serious with case counts that are the highest they have been since the beginning of the pandemic. While TPH will apply every measure within its authority, the assistance of every sector of society is critical in responding effectively to wave. Employers that continue to be open must:

  • Re-evaluate their operations to determine whether every possible person who can work remotely is currently doing so.
  • Have a safety plan.
  • Ensure to keep distance between employees, screen employees daily and immediately report more than two cases in their workplace.

TPH was one of the first health units in Canada to publish workplace outbreak information and will continue to do so on Toronto COVID-19 website. Information to support workplaces to prevent and manage COVID-19 can be found on the City of Toronto’s website

Quotes:

“We are doing everything we can as a City government to help essential workers facing the third wave of this virus. This Section 22 order is meant to help slam the brakes on workplace outbreaks that we know are moving much faster due to the variants of concern. I urge all employers to follow the public health advice to stop outbreaks and protect their employees including against the financial consequences of illness.”

–  Mayor John Tory

“Workplaces that are open provide an opportunity for COVID-19 to spread. Given that the majority of our cases are now as a result of variants of concern, which transmit faster, this order will support Toronto Public Health’s investigators to help workplaces immediately reduce the risk of spread and manage workplace outbreaks quickly.”

– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health

“In many ways the story of this pandemic is also a story about work. It’s the essential frontline workers who can’t work from home who have kept us safe, and who are also at highest risk of contracting COVID-19. At the City of Toronto we will continue to take every action, implement every measure, and do absolutely everything in our power to keep essential workers safe. That’s our commitment.”

– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board 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 the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Media contact: Toronto Public Health Media Relations, tphmedia@toronto.ca