Municipal workers head back to the office as Toronto-run buildings fully reopen

Many City of Toronto employees who have been working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic are returning to the office Monday, as the City fully reopens its buildings to the public.

Some office workers, who represent 20 per cent of the City’s workforce, were already coming back to work on a voluntarily basis, but were not expected back in the office until March 21.

“The 20 per cent who were working remotely are going to be doing a hybrid work arrangement, very much like I hope other people downtown will do,” Mayor John Tory said on Breakfast Television earlier in the day.

The rest of the City staff — around 80 per cent — have continued to deliver essential and critical services on-site during COVID-19, including TTC employees, waste collectors, and parks workers.

City officials have said they are keeping the mandatory vaccination policy in place for employees, despite the Ford government removing the vaccine passport requirement earlier this month.

City-run buildings fully reopen to public

Several in-person counter services resumed in February but other areas of City Hall, North York Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre, York Civic Centre and East York Civic Centre have now fully reopened for public access.

Starting Tuesday, city council and committee meeting will be transitioning to a hybrid model, allowing members of council to decide if they want to attend meetings virtually or in person. The public will also be able to attend either in person or virtually.

“The public will be coming back into the buildings … now people can come visit their councillors and the mayor,” Tory said.

Ontario lifted its mask mandate for most indoor public areas on Monday, including schools and retail spaces. However, face masks will still be required in some settings including public transit like the TTC, health-care facilities, long-term care homes and congregate care settings until April 27.