Toronto mask bylaw to remain in effect until April
Posted December 15, 2021 12:10 pm.
Last Updated December 15, 2021 12:28 pm.
In the wake of rising COVID-19 cases, Toronto City Council has approved an extension of bylaws well into the new year — including masking up indoors – put in place to help curb the spread of the virus.
A bylaw for apartment buildings, requiring management to provide hand hygiene stations or hand sanitizer in common areas, closing non-essential common areas consistent with provincial restrictions, increasing cleaning and posting Toronto Public Health COVID-19 signage has also been extended.
The mandatory mask bylaw requires everyone to wear masks in all indoor public settings, including businesses and in the common areas of apartments and condominiums.
Toronto City Council approves extension of #COVID19 bylaws until April 2022. News release: https://t.co/HDYlvMAbAC
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) December 15, 2021
Both bylaws will remain in effect until at least April 2022.
“These bylaws are a temporary and necessary response to the pandemic to help save lives and protect people. I want to thank the vast majority of Toronto residents who wear their masks when out in public places to help protect themselves and each other,” said Mayor John Tory.
Council approved the extension on the recommendation of the city’s Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey.
Public health experts have expressed concern there is potential for the Omicron variant to rapidly overtake the Delta variant, which had been the dominant variant circulating in the community.
