‘Dangerous and selfish behaviour’ disappointing
Officials react to photos of huge crowds gathered at Trinity Bellwoods Park
Amid another 220 COVID-19 cases and despite social distancing bylaws, large crowds gathered Saturday at Trinity Bellwoods Park as the city began reopening recreation areas.
Mayor John Tory, Coun. Joe Cressy and medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa were among those critical of the open disregard for distancing measures — with Tory adding that there would be a heavier presence of bylaw officers on Sunday.
“We have a health emergency that continues here,” Tory told the Star Saturday night.
“The numbers are not going the right way. We do not want to risk a setback that would have things shutting down again. And so please, give your head a shake and think about this carefully, and tomorrow, do better than you did today.”
Tory said he stopped at different city parks on the sunny day to see how people were enjoying the public spaces and newly opened amenities, and if they were respecting distancing protocol.
He arrived at Trinity Bellwoods Park from 7 to 8 p.m., after videos of the dense gathering had circulated on social media.
The mayor said the vast majority of the thousands of people he saw in various parks were keeping their distance, and Trinity Bellwoods was an isolated incident. Cressy also weighed in. “The scenes today in Trinity Bellwoods are so disappointing. This is dangerous and selfish behaviour,” the councillor tweeted.
“This will not end well if we don’t all do our part and respect physical distancing.”
Cressy added that senior city staff are “assessing the situation.”
Under city guidelines, Toronto parks — which have been open with a number of restrictions throughout the pandemic — have begun to ease restrictions on amenities such as BMX and disc golf courses, tennis courts and picnic shelters. However, social distancing is still in effect: members from different households must stay two metres apart.
Tory said if de Villa decides that park activity is hurting the fight against COVID-19, he “wouldn’t hesitate” to close things back down.
“We have to choose health first,” he said.
Toronto doctor Abdu Sharkawy posted a video on Twitter and voiced his displeasure with rule-breakers.
“I’m really hurt when I see that. I’m really saddened when I see that because I wonder if those people know the sacrifices that people like myself, my colleagues, in the emergency room and (in) the ICU, are making to allow you to have the freedom to spend your day out in the sun.”
Toronto resident Peter Svindler said he biked from Coronation Park to the Annex and passed through Trinity Bellwoods. He said he saw “an enormous amount of people” on the field at the south gates.
“(COVID-19 has) impacted my employment, it makes me terrified for my elderly relatives,” Svindler said. “It definitely made me a little frustrated.”
The gathering came a day after a press conference where de Villa said Mother’s Day may have been part of the reason for an increase in COVID-19 cases, and that people need to remain diligent with social distancing practices.
“I understand that the photos of people in Trinity Bellwoods were disappointing today,” de Villa tweeted. “It was a beautiful day & we all want to enjoy our city together, but this could be selfish & dangerous behaviour that could set us back.”