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Mayor Tory says “Come on people” every resident needs to cooperate when responding to COVID-19

TORONTO, ON., March 29, 2020 – Staff from the City of Toronto continue to see troubling examples of people disregarding public health recommendations.

“People are tearing down the signs that we put in the parks to say that the amenities are closed. They are tearing the signs down and they are taking the tape off,” said Mayor Tory in an interview with CP24 Sunday morning. “I mean come on people. We are not doing this because we are trying not to be nice,” said Mayor John Tory.

“We are doing this because this is what the health officials tell us we have to do to stop Toronto from going in the direction of New York City or worse,” said Tory. “We just can’t do that. It would involve loss of life for our fellow Torontonians, it would involve a huge strain on the healthcare system with many more people becoming sick and it is going to involve this (the disruption to public life) lasting a lot longer.”

Last Wednesday the City of Toronto closed all of its park facilities including playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts and off-leash dog areas.

Mayor Tory also said that City workers have already had to padlock off-leash dog facilities because people were not respecting the order.

“It’s a good day today (rainy Sunday) to be a bit solitary and I think we all should decide to make maximum effort to distance ourselves from one another, even loved ones frankly in terms of the 6 feet so that we can stop this virus,” Tory told CP24. *photos CP24 twitter*

While those who are found trying to access facilities that have been shuttered could face fines of up to $5,000, Tory said that he would prefer that people would cooperate so “this whole nightmare can be over a lot sooner.”

Additionally the City said in an official statement that, “People of all ages are regularly seen in groups with much less than two metres between them in City green spaces and public places. These behaviours are easy to correct in support of our community’s response to COVID-19.”

The City of Toronto continues to respond to COVID-19, with first responders and staff working around the clock to keep Torontonians safe and healthy. All people in the city need to be our partner in slowing the spread of the virus.

The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Toronto confirmed by Toronto Public Health continues to increase. As of 1 p.m. today, there are 512 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Toronto, including 74 new confirmed cases since yesterday’s report. Of the cases, 24 have recovered, 36 are in hospital, and 17 are in the ICU.

Toronto Public Health, led by our Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, has repeatedly stated the importance of self-isolation for those that are ill but do not require medical attention, have travelled, or may have been exposed to the virus. Self-isolated people living with roommates should stay in a separate room as much as possible, open windows in shared rooms to help with airflow, increase cleaning, and stay two metres away from others. Staying home, maintaining physical distance when out, and good hygiene, including hand-washing, remains the most responsible behaviour for healthy individuals.

We are asking everyone to remember they have a role to play in slowing the spread of COVID-19. City staff continue to see troubling examples of people disregarding public health recommendations. Barriers to closed City park equipment and facilities have been removed. People of all ages are regularly seen in groups with much less than two metres between them in City green spaces and public places. These behaviours are easy to correct in support of our community’s response to COVID-19.

The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services and social supports. Check toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

Ontario has confirmed 211 new cases of COVID-19 since Saturday, marking the largest increase in new cases since the outset of the coronavirus in this province. There are now 1,355 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, including 21 deaths and 8 recoveries. There are now 5,601 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Canada including 61 deaths and 479 recoveries. The most cases exist in the United States with 124,697 which includes 2,227 deaths and 3,231 recoveries. Worldwide there have been 678,857 confirmed cases of COVID-19 thus far, including 31,776 deaths.