TORONTO – The rates of COVID-19 in Toronto are an issue. Toronto has remained at Stage 2 in the economic recovery as cases keep coming in. There are 15,274 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 49 cases since yesterday. There are 107 people hospitalized, with 23 in ICU.
The city continues to respond to COVID-19. Residents are reminded that masks or face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces and strongly recommending in condo and apartment common areas to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Face masks and coverings do not replace the need to keep a distance of two meters or six feet from others, wash hands often, and stay home when sick.
In total, 13,668 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 44 cases since Wednesday. To date, there have been 1,144 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto.
As COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community, residents visiting a beach or park must practice 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.
Provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders and the City bylaw on physical distancing remain in effect. Yesterday, the City received 86 complaints related to park use and physical distancing. Officers have cautioned more than 5,000 people this month about physical distancing, alcohol, bonfires, and littering bylaws.
Toronto restaurants and bars continue to be 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 be wearing a mask as required by the establishment’s mask policy and the City’s Mask or Face Covering Bylaw.
Yesterday, Toronto Public Health inspectors attended 16 restaurants and bars. Six locations were not in compliance with orders and issued warning letters related to outdoor dining. Enforcement officers from Municipal Licensing & Standards, Toronto Public Health, Toronto Police Service, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will once again be teaming up for inspections of liquor-licensed establishments this weekend and to address 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.
