Here is a roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Wednesday:
Ontario reports 338 new COVID-19 cases, 19 more deaths
Ontario reported 338 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, a lower case number than the previous two days, bringing the provincial total to 29,047.
The death toll has risen to 2,312, as 19 more deaths were reported.
Meanwhile, 22,811 people have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, which is 78 per cent of cases.
Greater Toronto Area public health units account for 66 per cent of all cases in the province.
Status of COVID-19 cases in Toronto
According to the most recent data on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) website Wednday evening, there were 1,859 active cases and 8,948 resolved cases of COVID-19.
Of the 378 residents currently in hospital, 83 were being treated in ICU.
City of Toronto allows food trucks, street vendors to reopen
The City of Toronto cleared the way for food trucks and street vendors to reopen as the province gradually reopens amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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“Street food vending and food trucks allow for a broad range of food in Toronto that is safe, healthy, affordable and culturally diverse,” a statement issued Wednesday said.
“For everyone’s safety, all operators must adhere to physical distancing requirements for the public and provide proper health and safety measures for their staff.”
Customers will have to keep six feet apart and the food must be taken away.
Licensing applications are now being taken again.
City of Brampton says all transit riders must wear masks as of July 2
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says all riders and customers on public transit will be required to wear masks or face coverings due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in July.
Brown referred to policies already implemented in Ottawa, where transit riders there are required to wear masks starting mid-June and said Brampton is “following that step.”
“The reality is we have a lot of people taking public transit for essential work for the food processing industry, for the laboratory industry and I want to take every precaution possible to make sure we’re keeping these transit passengers safe and the operators.”
The mayor said the city will launch a campaign that will explain to riders why they have to wear masks. Brown said the mask policy will officially take effect on July 2.
Labour shortages at some Ontario farms threaten crop harvest, groups say
Groups that advocate for Ontario’s farmers say a worker shortage could threaten the harvest of some crops across the province.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, and the Canada Horticultural Council say the shortages exist on many farms across the province because of the pandemic.
The groups are urging the federal and provincial governments to provide resources to farmers to attract local workers, provide greater access to harvest equipment, and more personal protective equipment.
—With files from The Canadian Press
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