News Release
June 17, 2020

Toronto Public Health has expanded the number of guidance documents available to help local businesses and community organizations to prepare for safe reopening when the city receives provincial approval for Stage 2 reopening. These documents will provide guidance on adjusting operations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

There are 13,588 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 86 cases since yesterday. There are 284 people hospitalized, with 75 in ICU. In total 11,397 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 202 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 998 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

Certain businesses and workplaces may begin to prepare to reopen by reviewing public health guidance to help them to operate safely when we reach stage 2. Some of these measures include ensuring physical distancing measures are in place, staff and customers use cloth masks where physical distancing is not possible, and keeping a log of staff and customers with check-in times and contact information to help public health notify individuals, if needed.

Toronto Public Health has prepared guidance documents for local businesses and settings including food premises, personal service settings such as hair and nail salons, places of worship and a number of other community settings for reopening including farmers’ markets. There are many other guidance documents available online for business owners, operators and the public to view.

The COVID-19 monitoring dashboard will provide the public with a current summary on how the city is progressing in the response to COVID-19, as Toronto moves to recovery. It will also help Toronto Public Health to carefully monitor COVID-19 activity and adjust actions if the local situation changes.

The City’s coordinated COVID-19 Enforcement Team remains focused on providing education about the physical distancing bylaw and provincial orders. Provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders and the City bylaw on physical distancing remain in effect. Yesterday, the City received 114 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Bylaw officers issued four tickets in parks or squares. This month, bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 5,000 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.

More information on COVID-19 guidance for community and workplace settings is available here at toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-protect-yourself-others/community-settings-workplaces.

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/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.

Quotes:

“We are doing everything we can to help people get ready for the coming reopening. Following these public health guidelines will help stop the spread of COVID-19, protect residents, and save lives. We all know life will be different as we restart and reopen but these guidelines will help keep the public safe. This will ensure our economy comes back strong and as quickly as possible.”
– Mayor John Tory

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to make to adjust to a new normal. As we begin to open our city back up, all of us – governments, individuals, businesses, and organizations – can and must do our part to keep the virus under control. By following the guidelines that Toronto Public Health has created, local businesses, places of worship, and other community settings can help ensure that we continue in the right direction when it comes to containing the spread of COVID-19.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy, Chair Toronto Board of Health, Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York

“I’m encouraged by our continued progress in our COVID-19 containment efforts.  As we move forward in recovery and get ready to join our provincial colleagues in phase 2, it is critical that we provide support to our local businesses and community to help them to prepare to safely reopen.  Businesses and organizations need to adjust how they operate to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  My team has prepared these new documents so that the public can stay informed to understand what our new normal will look like in the months ahead. ”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer 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 toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofto.

Lenore Bromley
Toronto Public Health
416-338-7974