As Toronto officially enters lockdown today, new rules have to be followed to help “flatten” the curve. If you live in Toronto, it is now strongly encouraged to stay home as much as you can and only leave your house for essential reasons.
These reasons include grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, attending healthcare appointments, exercising (outdoors and not at the gym as they are now closed), going to school, and a few additional exceptions. "By reducing the number of people who are out in the community, we reduce the number of potential contacts and exposures to COVID-19, which will drive down case counts," said the city.
If you have to leave your house for those reasons, you have to wear a mask at all times. If you make your way to one of the city’s many parks or any other public place, be sure to keep a distance of at least 6 feet (does not apply if you are outside with someone from the same household).
"To avoid future or prolonged restrictions following the strict measures announced today, it is important that Torontonians follow the advice and orders of public health experts to protect the healthcare system and to save lives. The City acknowledges how challenging and difficult this is for individuals, families, businesses, and the mental and economic health of the city."
"We have to stop this virus now to save lives, protect our most vulnerable and, ultimately, to protect our economy... We can't have a healthy economy and build back better if people are sick and continue to get sick in greater and greater numbers," said Mayor John Tory in a statement.
"We simply cannot have a healthy economy without healthy people. This is a tough time in our fight against the virus. We all need to stay home as much as possible right now and follow the rules in order to protect ourselves and each other."
