COVID-19 Update

The City of Toronto Advances to Stage 2 of Reopening
Today, the Province announced that Toronto would be permitted to enter Stage 2 of Ontario's economic reopening framework as of Wednesday, June 24, 2020. In Stage 2, certain businesses and workplaces will be permitted to reopen, as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak.
 
The City has advised that the businesses that can reopen include:

  • Restaurants and bars for delivery, takeout, and outdoor dining only;

  • Shopping malls, except for indoor dining spaces including any tables and seating in food courts;

  • Personal care services, such as barber shops, hair styling, nails, tattoos & aesthetic services; and,

  • Drive-in cinemas and drive-thru concerts, theatrical productions, performance or artistic events. 

Recreational and cultural spaces that can also reopen, subject to conditions, include: 

  • Water recreational services, including splash pads, wading pools, indoor and outdoor swimming pools;

  • Community centres for a minimal number of modified uses, including certain outdoor sports and recreational activities, day camp, pools, splash pads, spray pads and wading pools, and indoor activities and services other than non-aquatic indoor sports and recreational fitness activities;

  • Campgrounds, museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and heritage institutions; and,

  • Libraries with limited on-site services. 

You can find a full list of businesses permitted to reopen here.
 
As we enter Stage 2, Toronto Public Health is emphasizing that Torontonians should continue to follow public health advice and that all workplaces must comply with the appropriate health and safety protocols.
 
To learn more about Stage 2, please visit the Province's website.

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Use of Masks on Public Transit
On June 17, 2020, the TTC Board unanimously approved the new mandatory face covering policy.
 
Effective July 2, masks or face coverings are mandatory when travelling on the TTC, except for:

  • Children under two years of age.

  • Persons with an underlying medical condition which inhibits the ability to wear a mask or face covering.

  • Persons who are unable to place or remove a mask or face covering without assistance.

For more information, please visit the TTC's website.

Update from the Province of Ontario

Ban on Commercial Rent Evictions
Last week, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed the Protecting Small Business Act, temporarily halting or reversing commercial tenants' evictions and protecting them from being locked out or having their assets seized during COVID-19. The legislation applies to businesses that are eligible for federal/provincial rent assistance for evictions from May 1, 2020, until August 31, 2020.
 
For more information on commercial rent assistance, please visit the Province's website.
 
Provincial Announcement on Social Circles
Earlier this month, the Government of Ontario also introduced social circles to allow interactions between up to 10 members, without physical distancing, including those outside the immediate household.
 
According to the Province's Medical Officer of Health, Ontarians who wish to form a safe social circle should follow these steps:

  1. Start with your current circle: the people you live with or who regularly come into your household;

  2. If your current circle is under 10 people, you can add members to your circle, including those from another household, family members or friends;

  3. Get agreement from everyone that they will join the circle;

  4. Keep your social circle safe. Maintain physical distancing with anyone outside of your circle; and

  5. Be true to your circle. No one should be part of more than one circle.

For more information, please visit the Government of Ontario's website.

Federal Support for Canadians Extended

Last week, the Prime Minister announced that the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program would be extended by eight weeks, until August 29, 2020. For more information on how to apply for the CERB, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Do you have spare bikes lying around? The Women’s Cycling Network, a group of nearly 100 women from the Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park neighbourhoods, is in need of bikes! If you have a bike to give, read about the Women’s Cycling Network #Bik…

Do you have spare bikes lying around? The Women’s Cycling Network, a group of nearly 100 women from the Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park neighbourhoods, is in need of bikes! If you have a bike to give, read about the Women’s Cycling Network #BikeMatch program. Once you complete the form, your bike will be matched with a woman from their waiting list, and a contact-free donation will be arranged.

Last week, the Prime Minister also announced the upcoming launch of a nation-wide mobile app to provide notifications of exposure to COVID-19 across Canada. The COVID Alert app will be piloted in Ontario before becoming available for download acr…

Last week, the Prime Minister also announced the upcoming launch of a nation-wide mobile app to provide notifications of exposure to COVID-19 across Canada.

The COVID Alert app will be piloted in Ontario before becoming available for download across Canada. More details regarding the app will become available in the coming weeks.

Jaye RobinsonCOVID-19