It’s official! The City of Toronto will be moving into stage 3 as of July 31!

 

 

In a news release, Premier Doug Ford says, “We have made tremendous progress that allows us to return to something a little closer to our normal lives this summer, but we are not out of the woods yet.  This virus is still among us and we have to be extra cautious to avoid sparking a surge or an outbreak. I strongly urge everyone to continue following public health protocols.”

 

 

For awareness, Ontario’s Ministry of Health tweeted a few guidelines you should continue to follow:

  • Continue to distance yourself when out in public.
  • Continue to wear face masks.
  • Continue to wash hands frequently (also sanitize)
  • And continue to avoid touching your eyes, mouth and face.

 

 

 

As part of stage 3, social gatherings have also increased.  Indoor gatherings have increased to 50 people and outdoor gatherings have increased to 100.  Read below.

 

Ontario’s Ministry of Health has also listed five steps you can take to expand your social circle.

 

And do not forget – masks are still mandatory!

 

 

Courtesy of BlogTO,  below is a list of all places a face mask must be worn:

  • retail stores
  • convenience stores
  • malls and shopping plazas
  • enclosed areas of grocery stores, bakeries and farmer’s markets
  • the indoor areas of restaurants and bars
  • inside adult entertainment clubs, billiard halls or other entertainment establishments
  • indoor recreational facilities, gyms and swimming pools when permitted to open
  • libraries
  • community centres
  • community service agencies
  • personal service settings
  • churches, mosque, synagogue, temples and faith settings
  • art galleries, museums, aquariums and zoos
  • banquet halls, convention centres, arenas, stadiums and other event spaces
  • real estate facilities such as open houses and presentation centres
  • common areas in hotels, motels and short-term rentals
  • entertainment facilities including concert venues, theatres, cinemas and casinos
  • business offices open to the public
  • common areas in hotels, motels and short-term rentals
  • common areas of residential condo and apartment buildings
  • inside most ride-share vehicles
  • on all TTC vehicles and in stations

 

During Monday’s city’s press briefing, Mayor John Tory revealed he reached out to the Greater Toronto Apartment Association, and ‘urged them to have ‘mandatory masks rules for the common areas of their rental residential buildings:’

 

“I know that many tenants want to make sure the common areas in their buildings are as safe as possible, and in that regard they have been communicating with me and asking me questions through the media about the putting in place of such a mask policy.  I believe that implementing these rules in buildings will help residents protect each other from the spread of COVID-19, especially when you take into account the number of Torontonians who live in rental residential apartment buildings.  I am hopeful that the association of apartment owners will strongly encourage its members to adopt a similar policy requiring face coverings in common areas such as the lobbies, the laundry rooms, and the elevators of residential rental buildings.”

 

 

What does this mean for bars and restaurants during stage 3? According to BlogTO:

 

“The number of customers permitted inside the establishment at any one time is also limited so people can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the venue.  The new measures also indicate that regardless of the size of the space, there should never be more than 100 people indoors at one time.  Tables will also have a maximum capacity of no more than 10 people (indoors and outdoors), business owners will be required to keep customer logs with personal information to enable contact tracing, and staff will be subject to COVID-19 screening before each shift.”

 

 

Here are some other tidbits you should know about stage 3.

 

 

Do you part and stay safe!

Filed under: COVID-19, Toronto