COVID-19 Update
I hope that you're all taking care of yourselves and your families as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve in Toronto. I know that this period has been worrisome and challenging for all of us.
To start, I would like to thank all those who have taken the time to contact my office with questions, concerns, or suggestions about the City's response to COVID-19. We all play an important role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Toronto, and it is encouraging that our community remains so engaged and alert.
Since I last wrote to you, all three levels of government have announced several important updates.
This morning, the City of Toronto announced a series of new measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, based on the strong recommendations of Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa. The new measures include:
Strengthened case and contact measures to require those with a confirmed positive diagnosis, those with symptoms, and their close contacts to stay home under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Public Health officials will directly follow up with anyone they believe to be a close contact of an infected person;
Enhancing physical distancing by strongly recommending that residents only leave home to complete essential errands and ensuring that only essential businesses remain open. All workplaces must maximize physical distancing, implement infection prevention practices, and limit in-person access as much as possible;
Local and Provincial Public Health officials ensuring compliance with the Federal government's mandated 14-day self-isolation period by actively following up with all travellers who have recently returned to Canada; and
Greater protections for our most vulnerable population, including seniors over the age of 70, residents living in Long-Term Care Homes, and those experiencing homelessness.
These measures will be implemented immediately for a period of up to 12 weeks. Our Public Health professionals have indicated that the timeline and effectiveness of these restrictions are fully dependent on public compliance. The City will extend this timeline as necessary.
We are at a critical point in our battle against COVID-19. Each time you make the decision to stay home, you are saving lives.
As recommended by the Medical Officer of Health, all residents should continue to practice physical distancing and stay at home, except to:
Access healthcare or medication;
Shop for groceries once per week;
Walk pets; and
Get physical exercise.
Wherever possible, one member of the household should complete essential errands. Residents are also encouraged to pick up groceries for other households and neighbours to eliminate unnecessary additional trips to the store.
While Public Health officials have indicated that it is acceptable for residents to go outside for fresh air and exercise, a 2-metre distance should be maintained from others at all times.
Last week, the Province issued a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to immediately prohibit organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people. While this order does not apply to private households larger than five, it does apply to all public and private events including weddings, social gatherings, and communal services within places of worship.
Yesterday, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced that all Ontario schools will remain closed through April 2020. The Province will continue to re-visit this timeline as the situation unfolds.
In line with the new Provincial order, the City of Toronto has cancelled all events, festivals, and third-party permits through June 30, 2020. Unfortunately, this means that my annual Community Environment Days will not proceed as scheduled.
Since my last email, Prime Minister Trudeau has also announced several updates to the Government of Canada's Economic Response Plan, including:
Increasing the wage subsidy from 10% to 75% for all businesses that have lost 30% or more of their revenue;
Allowing businesses to defer GST and HST payments until June 30, 2020; and
Creating a new Canada Emergency Business Account which will allow eligible financial institutions to provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits to help cover operating costs.
For many of us, life has changed quickly and drastically over the last few weeks. Research has shown that prolonged self-isolation and physical distancing can be extremely challenging for our mental wellbeing. Public health professionals are emphasizing that it is important for all residents to practice good hygiene, eat properly, and stay active during these trying times.
There are a number of mental health resources for those who need them, including Crisis Services Canada, the Distress Centre of Greater Toronto, and Kids Help Phone. The City also operates a mental health hotline specifically for seniors – 416-217-2077. You can find more information about the many public mental health resources available on the City's website.
As you know, all park amenities in the City – 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 – remain closed. City staff have begun erecting signage, taping off playgrounds, and locking the gates to all park amenities. To clarify, green spaces in parks will remain accessible for members of the public walking, running, or biking, but – as indicated above – residents are reminded to practice physical distancing while outdoors.
In response to the many complaints about social gatherings in Toronto parks over the weekend, both the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Toronto Police Service (TPS) are ramping up enforcement. Failure to comply with an order made during a State of Emergency can result in fines of up to $1,000. Residents can report public gatherings over 5 people to the OPP or TPS non-emergency lines. To report the use of closed amenities in City-owned parks, residents should call 311.
Over the weekend, Premier Doug Ford announced a zero-tolerance policy toward COVID-19-related price gouging of sanitary and household items, such as hand sanitizer. Consumers can report instances of price gouging online or by calling the Province's hotline at 1-800-889-9768 between 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Across Ward 15, neighbourhoods have taken to their doorsteps and balconies at 7:30pm every evening to cheer for our front-line healthcare workers. During this unprecedented time of crisis, it is truly heartwarming to see our community coming together in such a meaningful way. My sincerest thanks to our heroic healthcare workers for their tireless efforts to keep our City healthy.
Many of you have indicated a desire to support our healthcare workers as they battle COVID-19 on the front lines. Grocery Hero, a Toronto-based online service that matches medical professionals with members of their local community who can complete grocery deliveries, is looking for volunteers from across the City to join the effort. Other opportunities to get involved locally include:
On a related note, I am in regular communication with Dr. Andy Smith, CEO of the world-class Sunnybrook Hospital in Ward 15, about the challenges they are facing on the front-line and how the City can help support our local medical facilities. Earlier this month, a team of researchers from Sunnybrook helped isolate SARS-CoV-2, the agent responsible for the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 – a critical first step in developing a vaccine.
Sunnybrook is currently accepting donations to help fund their research and response efforts. They are also accepting unused Personal Protective Equipment, which can be dropped off at the Bayview Campus (2075 Bayview Avenue), D-Wing screening entrance between 9:00am-2:00pm, Monday to Friday. For more information on how you can support Sunnybrook Hospital, please visit their website.
As indicated in my last update, the Provincial government has introduced Ontario Together, a program designed to harness the ideas and output capacities of the province's manufacturing sector. Today, Premier Ford launched a $50 million Ontario Together fund to immediately support the most innovative proposals from companies across the province. Any business with the capacity to produce essential medical supplies is encouraged join the fight against COVID-19 by contacting the Province.
Toronto is a resilient City. Together, we will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.
As always, my team remains available to serve you by phone at 416-395-6408, or by email at councillor_robinson@toronto.ca.