Toronto ferries resume service starting June 27, passengers must wear face coverings
Toronto ferries will operate at 50 per cent maximum capacity with COVID-19 guidelines and procedures in place
TORONTO, ON. June 24. 2020 — Mayor John Tory today announced the City of Toronto will resume its public ferry service to Toronto Island Park on June 27, as permitted by Transport Canada. The ferries will operate at 50 per cent maximum capacity, with a number of COVID-19 guidelines and procedures in place to protect passengers and staff, developed in consultation with Toronto Public Health.
“I am pleased to be able to reopen public ferry services to the Toronto Island Park so that residents and visitors can once again enjoy this beloved part of our city,” said Mayor John Tory. This journey is an important Toronto tradition, with the ferries annually providing trips to over a million people a year. I encourage people to head to the island, and enjoy the ferry experience safely and patiently as demand will be high and the ferry capacity is much lower due to COVID-19 precautions.”
Ticket sales limited to 5,000 per day
In order to allow for physical distancing on the ferries and in the terminal, ferry tickets will be limited to 5,000 per day and must be purchased online at toronto.ca/ferry. Visitors should purchase their tickets ahead of time. Tickets are only valid for the date selected at the time of purchase. Additional staff will be on hand at the ferry terminal to assist visitors with these new requirements.
Passengers will be required to wear non-medical masks or face coverings. Signage and markers will be visible at the terminal to help visitors with physical distancing while waiting in line.
To reduce crowding, visitors are encouraged to travel outside of peak times. The busiest time for travel from the terminal to Toronto Island Park is between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. for the return trip. Visitors should plan their ferry trips outside of these times.
Enhanced cleaning with sanitizers readily available for passengers
Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting will be undertaken on the vessels after every trip. Washrooms on the ferries will be closed, however hand sanitizer dispensers will be available. Washrooms at the terminal and at Toronto Island Park will be open.
Visitors are advised to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms and should not board the ferry if they have symptoms. A self-assessment tool is available at covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ .
Services and amenities that will be open at Toronto Island Park once ferry service resumes include washrooms, splash pads, a first aid station, William Meany Maze, some food and beverage outlets and disc golf.
Other Toronto Island Park public and commercial amenities on the Island including Centreville and park playgrounds and boat rentals will remain closed as required by current Province of Ontario emergency orders. Prior to this reopening, ferry service was provided to Wards Island for Island residents only.
Toronto Island Park is a well-loved destination for Toronto residents and visitors, and the park typically sees 1.4 million visitors every year.
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