Major Businesses to Keep Staff Home Until Septemb er

Two dozen major Toronto employers — including Canada’s key banks and insurers — agreed to keep most of their downtown staff at home until at least September to help contain the spread of COVID-19, said the city’s mayor, John Tory. The agreement, which also includes telecom companies, accounting firms, lifecos and universities, comes at the request of the city and Tory, who is concerned about a potential flare-up in the pandemic if too many people flood the downtown core as restrictions are lifted. “We do not want the sacrifices that all of you have made out there to be in vain,” said Tory, pictured, on Friday. At least 24 companies will tell their employees to work remotely, including all of Canada’s six biggest banks, Rogers Communications Inc., and Ryerson University.