Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Saturday:
Status of cases in Toronto
Toronto Public Health is reporting a total of 22,302 coronavirus cases in the city, which is up by 401.
A total of 18,473 people have recovered, while the city has recorded a total of 1,318 deaths.
There are 102 people in Toronto who are hospitalized with the virus.
New restrictions now in effect for Toronto, Peel Region
New restrictions are now in effect in Toronto and Peel Region in a bid to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Indoor dining and gyms are among the facilities the provincial government ordered to close as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Personal care services where face coverings have to be removed must also discontinue operations. Interactive exhibits in places like galleries or museums must close.
“All trends are going in the wrong direction. Left unchecked, we risk worst-case scenarios first seen in Italy and New York City,” Premier Doug Ford said during a press conference Friday.
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Restaurant association says new restrictions will have ‘dire consequences’
An association advocating for Canada’s foodservice industry is warning of serious effects from the new restrictions imposed in Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa.
“There are going to be dire consequences,” said James Rilett, vice president of central Canada at Restaurants Canada, in an interview with Global News.
“Many restaurants have gone seven months accumulating debt. Their debt load is huge. Even with government programs — in which both governments have stepped up and promised some funding — it doesn’t do anything to take care of the debt load. It just looks at future expenses.”
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Rilett called on the community to support their local restaurants when they can through things like takeout and gift cards.
On Friday, Restaurants Canada released a statement saying it estimates the restrictions on indoor dining will result in 33,000 lost jobs in Toronto and 14,900 in Peel Region.
Jury selection suspended in Toronto and Brampton
New jury selection is suspended for 28 days in Toronto and Brampton.
“The premier announced a return to a modified Stage 2 in Peel, Toronto and Ottawa as a result of significant increases in COVID cases,” said Chief Justice Geoffrey B. Morawetz of the Ontario Superior Court in a statement.
“As a result, I have made the difficult decision that our court must adjust our operations in those three centres.”
Decisions to continue matters that are already underway, including jury trials, will be up to individual judges, Morawetz said.
“In-person non-jury trials and other in-person proceedings (including civil and family matters) that are upcoming in Brampton, Toronto and Ottawa can proceed as scheduled in-person if they are limited to 10 persons or less in the courtroom,” Morawetz added.
“However, efforts should be made to hear matters remotely, wherever possible.”
ActiveTO closures in place all long weekend
ActiveTO road closures are in place again this weekend until 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving Monday.
The program sees roads closed to motorists in a bid to give people more room when they move around the city amid the pandemic.
Affected streets include Lake Shore Boulevard and Bayview Avenue.
Protest held in Toronto against coronavirus restrictions
A protest was held in downtown Toronto on Saturday against coronavirus-related restrictions.
The demonstrators, who did not appear to be wearing masks, gathered at Yonge-Dundas Square.
Toronto police tweeted about the demonstration, saying drivers could expect delays in the area.
Ontario reports 809 new coronavirus cases as upward trend continues
Ontario reported 809 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 58,490.
It marks a slight drop compared to Friday when 939 cases were reported, but still indicates an upward trend.
“Locally, there are 358 new cases in Toronto, 123 in Peel, 94 in Ottawa and 76 in York Region,” Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Twitter.
“There are 700 more resolved cases.”
Seven new deaths were also announced on Saturday, bringing the provincial death toll to 3,004.
6 more deaths in long-term care
According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there have been 1,886 deaths reported among residents and patients in long-term care homes across Ontario, which is an increase of six compared with Friday.
There are currently 58 outbreaks in long-term care homes, marking an increase of two.
There are 150 active cases among long-term care residents and 187 among staff.
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