UPDATE (MARCH 25): Toronto police announced officers would be using the “highest level of discretion” when it comes to rush-hour parking enforcement, adding ticketing and/or towing would only take place if there was “significant negative impact on traffic flow.”
As most residents are being encouraged by public health officials to stay at home amid the coronavirus outbreak, Toronto police have suspended parking enforcement for several offences.
“We have been taking advice from public health officials and making decisions that balance our need to provide community safety with maintaining the health and safety of our members,” police said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon.
Police said the following offences aren’t being enforced “until further notice” unless there are “significant” traffic and/or community safety concerns:
– On-street permit parking
– On-street time limit offences (e.g. one-, two- or three-hour parking)
– North York winter maintenance bylaw
– Expired vehicle validation licence plates
– Boulevard parking
– School zones with posted no stopping, no standing and/or no parking signs
Officers said all other parking offences will still be enforced, including no stopping and no standing areas, rush hour routes as well as metered parking spots.
The move comes as many institutions and businesses have closed at the direction of the government in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. Coupled with pleas for people who have travelled internationally and those who aren’t feeling well to self-isolate, many are staying in their homes.
As of Wednesday evening, there were 214 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario.