April 2, 2020
Dear Ward 24 Neighbours,
Please see the following update regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the City of Toronto:
New emergency order allows for enforcement of physical distancing in parks and public squares
Any two people who don’t live together and fail to keep two metres of distance between them in a park or public square, will be subject to prosecution and liable for a fine of up to $5,000 if convicted. (Tis does not apply to members of the same household) The Mayor took this emergency action – which is in effect for at least the next 30 days – as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to save lives, protect the healthcare system and ensure our economy and society can rebound faster from the COVID-19 pandemic. Info and updates: http://toronto.ca/covid19.
Yard waste collection resumes for two weeks
The City will resume yard waste collection from Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 17.
Information for residents:
- Place yard waste out before 7 a.m. on regularly scheduled garbage/yard waste collection day.
- Please be patient as crews make their way across the city.
- If yard waste is not picked up the scheduled day, please leave it out as it will be picked-up in the coming days. Please do not call 311 to report a missed collection.
- To ensure health and safety, please only use yard waste bags, not open-top containers.
The start of seasonal yard waste collection was suspended as part of the City’s COVID-19 response. After the two-week period of yard waste pickup, the City will assess if it can continue to maintain the service. More information is available on the City’s website.
On April 1, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health issued new directives under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. These include:
- All individuals with COVID-19 are ordered by the Medical Officer of Health to stay home, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act for 14 days.
- All individuals who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are also ordered to stay home by the Medical Officer of Health for 14 days.
- People returning from international travel must stay home (already a federal order).
- Anyone who is not ill or has not travelled, is strongly directed to stay home except for the following reasons:
- accessing healthcare or medication
- shop for groceries once per week
- walk their dogs
- get daily exercise while maintaining physical distancing of at least two metres
- Anyone over the age of 70, as the Province already announced, is strongly encouraged to stay home as much as possible.
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul