More drastic measures needed now, Tory tells Ford,

Toronto mayor says he believes health- care system is in jeopardy

Toronto Mayor John Tory said Monday he supports the idea of a complete lockdown, like the one imposed by the province in the spring, in order to prevent the health- care system from becoming overwhelmed.

Speaking at a COVID- 19 update from city hall, Tory said he’s concerned about the growing number of people in hospital and the “frightening impact” that could have on the health system’s ability to handle COVID

patients, while at the same time treating those with other pressing health problems.

“I believe, based on what I’ve been told, that the health- care system’s ability to do both — and it’s important it should be able to do both — is in serious jeopardy,” said Tory.

He said he spoke with Premier Doug Ford on the weekend to let him know he supports additional lockdown measures, similar to ones in place in the spring that were ultimately successful in helping to curtail the spread of the virus.

Tory questioned why banks and big- box stores are still being allowed to operate. “I never frankly understood entirely why they were open when other businesses were forced to be closed,” he said.

Banks voluntarily closed branches in the spring, Tory pointed out.

Tory said the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area mayors and chairs met virtually on Monday and voiced their support for additional measures and quick action by the province.

“The time to act is now,” Tory said, noting that a recent spike in cases may be linked to the lag in December between Ford announcing that there would be a lockdown, and the lockdown actually taking effect on Dec. 26.

According to mobile phone data shared exclusively with the Star, during those few days people scrambled to get last- minute shopping done before the lockdown started, crowding malls in jurisdictions where they were still open.

Tory said it’s also important that individuals act responsibly and stay home as much as possible. He said he believes people aren’t as frightened as they were in the spring when little was known about the virus, and aren’t taking as much care now as they did then.

He said he would like to see more tickets written, in particular for people who attend parties, violating rules around crowds gathering.

Other lockdown measures imposed in other places include domestic border closures, enforced mandatory quarantine for international travellers and a ban on residential evictions.