Toronto officials support provincial lockdown measures
See list of what is open and what is closed under new restrictions in Toronto
The Province of Ontario is taking further measures in Toronto and Peel Region to slow the spread of COVID-19, effective this Monday, November 23. The City of Toronto supports all efforts to reduce and eliminate the transmission of COVID-19 in the city to protect the healthcare system and save lives.
There are 36,821 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 420 new cases yesterday. There are 174 people hospitalized. In total, 30,838 people have recovered from COVID-19. To date, there have been 1,515 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform. As part of Toronto Public Health’s ongoing data updates, information on deaths of people experiencing homelessness is also now available online.
Toronto entered the “Red – Control” zone of the provincial framework on November 14, with additional restrictions by order of Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health under S. 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, including continued closure of indoor dining; closure of meeting and event spaces; continued closure of casinos and bingo halls; and closure of indoor fitness classes.
The provincial announcement adds further restrictions in Toronto, including:
- closing all outdoor dining and patios. Take-out, drive-thru and delivery options remain available and are strongly encouraged to support local businesses
- closing malls, except for essential businesses
- closing all non-essential retail, except for curbside pick up; large retailers with a grocery section can remain open at 50 per cent capacity
- limiting capacity of big box and essential business to 50 per cent capacity
- closing all indoor gyms and recreational programs, with some City-operated community centres open for community supports, such as food banks
- closing all hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and tattoo parlours.
“We have to stop this virus now to save lives, protect our most vulnerable and, ultimately, to protect our economy. That’s why I support the provincial health measures announced today,” said Mayor John Tory. “We can’t have a healthy economy and build back better if people are sick and continue to get sick in greater and greater numbers. We simply cannot have a healthy economy without healthy people. This is a tough time in our fight against the virus. We all need to stay home as much as possible right now and follow the rules in order to protect ourselves and each other,” said Tory.
City officials are strongly encouraging Toronto residents to stay home, except for essential travel, such as groceries and other necessities, like medicine; healthcare appointments; exercise; school; child care; and going to work. By reducing the number of people who are out in the community, we reduce the number of potential contacts and exposures to COVID-19, which will drive down case counts.
Having family or friends who are not members of your household in your home for a social visit is prohibited under provincial orders. Essential support workers and emergency repair persons are exempt. Outdoor organized public events or social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people. Non-essential travel outside of one’s own community is strongly discouraged.
“While I know that today’s news is difficult, nearly half of all of our COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic have occurred since October ,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health. We have to do everything that we can to prevent COVID-19 spread, protect our most vulnerable residents, preserve the capacity of our hospitals and save lives. Please reach out and take care of each other, especially now during these next few weeks, as we face these challenging times together.”
City of Toronto parks are open, and residents are encouraged to use them for exercise, including walking, but to do so only with those they live with.
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/home/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
SOURCE City of Toronto
