May 20, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
I want to thank everyone for your efforts during this very difficult time. It is very important for all of us, to the best of our ability to follow the mandatory physical distancing bylaw!
City of Toronto reopening more than 850 park amenities this week
Today, Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto will open more than 850 park amenities this week, following the Province of Ontario’s amendments to an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The City of Toronto closed all parks amenities in March, based on public health advice and ahead of the provincial order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the city.
Dog Off-Leash Areas are now open
The City’s more than 70 dog off-leash areas opened today following the Province’s amendments to an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. While visiting, people must continue to practise physical distancing by staying 2 metres (6 feet) or three happy dogs apart.
City of Toronto reopening waste Drop-off Depots to the public
The City of Toronto, under the guidance of the Medical Officer of Health, is gradually reopening City facilities and restarting operations where it is safe to do so. As part of the City’s phased resumption of services, Drop-off Depots (Transfer Stations) are now partially reopening to the public.
Starting on Tuesday, May 19, at 6 p.m., Bermondsey and Ingram Drop-off Depots will open to the public on weeknights for drop-off of recycling, garbage, and yard waste. Hours of operation are as follows:
- Bermondsey: Monday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to midnight and 12:30 a.m. to 6 a.m., Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Ingram: Monday to Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight and 12:30 am to 6 a.m.
In addition, Bermondsey, Ingram, as well as Scarborough Drop-off Depots will be open to the public on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for drop-off of recycling, garbage, and yard waste, as well as household hazardous waste. For more information please read the news release or view the COVID-19: Changes to City Services COVID-19: Changes to City Services web page.
Toronto Zoo reopening this weekend
The Toronto Zoo will open for a drive-through experience starting Saturday. Visitors can tour around the Zoo from the comfort of their car for a 45-minute safari adventure starting May 23. Tickets will be on sale starting May 22 and must be purchased in advance. For more information, please visit torontozoo.com/scenicsafari
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, today Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Mayor John Tory strongly recommended that the public wear a face mask or face covering to protect others when in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Toronto Public Health advises that wearing a face mask or face covering in public can help protect others from your germs. However, public health officials continue to stress that a face mask or face covering has not been proven to protect the person wearing it from COVID-19 and is not a substitute for physical distancing and hand washing.
City of Toronto expands ActiveTO major road closures this weekend
Mayor John Tory announced today that the City of Toronto will expand its ActiveTO major road closures footprint this weekend to provide residents with more space to physically distance while outdoors and getting exercise, while helping stop the spread of COVID-19. Vehicle access on parts of more major roads will be closed for walking, running and biking this Saturday and Sunday.
City of Toronto update on COVID-19
With additional park amenities reopening today, residents are reminded of the importance of adhering to public health advice to practise physical distancing or wear a face covering or non-medical mask to protect others when in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
There are 9,129 cases of COVID-19 in the city, an increase of 263 cases since yesterday. There are 413 cases in hospital, with 92 in ICU. In total, 6,735 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 119 cases since yesterday. To date, there have been 716 COVID-19 deaths in Toronto. Case status data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.
Enforcement update
The COVID-19 enforcement team will continue responding to complaints and proactively patrolling parks and other public spaces, in an effort to ensure public understanding of the need to limit social interactions. Officers are out educating residents on the City’s physical distancing bylaw and the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act orders, and only issuing tickets in circumstances where education efforts have failed. Yesterday, the City received 64 complaints involving people using outdoor amenities or not practising physical distancing in parks or squares. Bylaw officers issued three tickets for physical distancing. This month, bylaw and police officers have spoken to more than 4,000 people in City parks about the closures and public health measures.
Please click here for a list of food banks and soup kitchens in the Ward 24
Please click here for a list of food banks in East Scarborough
Please click here for a list of food banks in Scarborough
Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.
Our KGO Update
Read about East Scarborough’s latest roundup of key neighbourhood resources, virtual results, and up to date information through The East Scarborough Storefront’s crowd-sourced e-newsletter “Our KGO Updates.” Check out their latest issue to see what’s new at the Toronto Zoo, find new job opportunities, student financial supports, and more, HERE. SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Essential Government Information for COVID -19
Public Health’s information line & 311 are experiencing high call volumes. Residents can get the information they need online at www.toronto.ca
The City’s website has a tool that can translate pages into 51 different languages.
If you need info on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:
Official Global Travel Advisory
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.
I am continuously updating my social media platforms and my website with up to date information:
Website: www.paulainslie.com
You can also reach me by: telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul