COVID-19 containment crackdown begins in Toronto

Torontosun.com
March 25, 2020
Bryan Passifiume

Toronto has started enforcing orders meant to slow the spread of COVID-19.

During Tuesday’s daily press briefing, Matthew Pegg, Toronto fire chief and head of emergency management, outlined how that enforcement will take shape.

“The City of Toronto is actively engaged in inspecting and taking appropriate enforcement relating to compliance with the provincial orders,” he said.

“Toronto’s municipal licensing and standards team is working in direct collaboration with Toronto Public Health and Toronto Police Service.”

Beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Pegg said officers began compliance audits around the city, ensuring non-essential businesses were closed, and those permitted to stay in business comply with social distancing and occupancy guidelines.

On Monday, Premier Doug Ford ordered all non-essential businesses must close their doors by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday for 14 days as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

All businesses not deemed essential by the province face hefty fines if they remain open.

Toronto’s chief medical officer Dr. Eileen de Villa reported 41 new cases of the respiratory disease in the city since Monday, putting the total number of infections at 280, with 18 being treated in hospital.

She said measures to contain the disease depend on everybody in the city taking them seriously.

Information on how the city is dealing with the crisis can be found at toronto.ca/covid19