COVID-19 Update
As the COVID-19 situation in Toronto continues to evolve, I hope that you and your families are taking the proper precautions to stay safe and healthy.
Through these communications, I will endeavour to keep you up-to-date on the ever-changing situation in our local community. Since my last update, there have been several important initiatives implemented by all three levels of government to contain the spread of COVID-19 and support impacted residents and businesses in Toronto.
Over the past week, I've heard from many neighbours concerned about large groups congregating in City of Toronto parks and playgrounds. Yesterday, the City officially closed all playgrounds and parks amenities, including: sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, outdoor exercise equipment, and parking lots attached to the parks system. Green spaces in parks, trails, and ravines will remain open.
For this reason, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) will also be closing all playgrounds and other amenities on school property until further notice, including sports fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts.
Yesterday, the Federal Minister of Health announced an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act to enforce a mandatory 14-day isolation period for all returning travellers. Starting today, all returning travellers are legally required to go directly home without making any stops along the way.
The Government of Ontario has released a new $17 billion Action Plan to support residents and businesses impacted by COVID-19 and directly fund additional health care resources.
Going forward, electricity prices for residential and small business customers will be reduced to the lowest off-peak price 24 hours-a-day, for a period of 45 days.
The Provincial government has also committed to funding emergency childcare to support front-line workers. In Toronto, City-owned childcare facilities will operate 24 hours-a-day for health care workers, police officers, firefighters, and other emergency workers.
For more information about the Province's one-year fiscal outlook, I would encourage you to visit the Government of Ontario's website or contact your Member of Provincial Parliament.
These Provincial programs build on the $82 billion COVID-19 Economic Response Plan passed by the House of Commons on Tuesday. The Federal government has since launched the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – combining the previously announced Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit – to support all Canadians who are not otherwise eligible for EI with a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month.
After the Premier mandated the closure of all non-essential businesses earlier this week, the Provincial government launched a toll-free line, 1-888-444-3659, to support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the emergency order.
On that note, many of you have contacted me with concerns about the Province's decision to designate all residential, commercial, and industrial construction work as essential. If you see a construction site that you believe may be unsafe, you can report it to the Ministry of Labour – the Province's regulatory authority on workplace health and safety – online or by calling their hotline at 1-877-202-0008.
As a designated essential service, the TTC continues to operate buses, streetcars, and subways in Toronto. As Chair of the TTC Board, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to all the front-line TTC employees for providing critical transit service for essential workers and healthcare providers.
Despite an almost 70% drop in ridership last week, the TTC is continuing to maintain excess service capacity to allow for physical distancing as recommended by the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Over the past few weeks, the TTC has introduced several new policies and procedures to improve safety for TTC employees and passengers, including implementing rear-door boarding on all surface vehicles and accepting only PRESTO cards as a form of fare payment to limit interactions between drivers and passengers. All updates on the TTC's response to the COVID-19 outbreak are published on the TTC's website.
This week, the City opened up 9 new shelter facilities with more than 350 spaces to further support physical distancing among those experiencing homelessness. For more information on the actions being taken to enhance shelter capacity, please see the City's news release.
Please be advised that 211 Toronto is here to assist our City during this difficult time. For more information about financial assistance, mental health support, employment support, childcare, housing, food, clothing, and shelter visit 211central.ca.
As a reminder, you can find a list of all affected City services, here. Essential services such as garbage and recycling continue to operate as-usual. For those of you beginning your spring gardening, please note that the City has unfortunately suspended yard-waste collection until further notice.
If you have questions about any of the above programs and initiatives, please do not hesitate to contact our team at 416-395-6408 or councillor_robinson@toronto.ca.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and engagement in the face of this unprecedented challenge. Together, we will flatten the curve and slow the transmission of COVID-19 in Toronto.