Since the start of the pandemic there have been a total of 72,679 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 789 new cases today. There are 421 people hospitalized. In total, 61,839 people have recovered from COVID-19. To date, there have been 2,098 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/.
In response to increasing COVID-19 case counts, the Province of Ontario yesterday declared a second provincial state of emergency, issuing a province-wide stay-at-home order that will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, January 14, for 28 days. The new protections will impact City services and the City is seeking clarity from the Province, including details on enforcement and impacts on recreation activity. Once that clarity is received, staff will review the provincial regulations and update the full list of impacts to City operations on the COVID-19: Changes to City Services webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/affected-city-services/.
Mayor Tory today stressed that the City’s fundamental message to all residents remains: stay home. Staying home is the best way to for people to keep themselves and loved ones from getting sick. As updated provincial regulations come into force, those with any doubt about what is and is permitted should stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
As announced, the new provincial order requires all people to remain at home at all times with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work. The Province also added new restrictions under the Lockdown Regulations and provided new recommendations:
- Outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are restricted to five people, with limited exceptions
- Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering in the indoor areas of businesses or organizations
- Wearing a mask or face covering is recommended outdoors when physical distancing is not possible
- All non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m.
- Construction not permitted as essential is shut down
More information on the new provincial regulations is available in the Province’s news release:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59922/ontario-declares-second-provincial-emergency-to-address-covid-19-crisis-and-save-lives.
Please review the City’s simple “Dos” and “Don’ts” guide for recommended and mandatory public health measures. The guide communicates what is, and what is not, permitted under the provincial Lockdown Regulation that remains in effect and the new stay-at-home order to help stop the spread of COVID-19: www.toronto.ca/lockdownguide.
