GTA: Toronto hopeful about entering Stage 3,

Mayor wants to avoid going backward toward ‘catastropic second wave’

City officials say they’re optimistic the province will implement their recommendations to strengthen public health restrictions when bars and restaurants reopen indoors as early as this week.

With the province set to make an announcement on municipalities like Toronto joining the province in Stage 3 of the reopening, Mayor John Tory said he’s hopeful the province adopt “some” of the city’s recommendations like making masks mandatory for patrons and staff.

If not, Tory said the city is preparing various “game plans” to enhance public safety depending on what the province decides to do.

“We do not want to go backwards and we do not want a catastrophic second wave of this virus,” Tory said. “The last thing we want is for Toronto to reopen and then within a very short period of time, perhaps weeks, shut down again. The businesses cannot afford this, the governments cannot afford this and residents don’t want this.”

Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city’s medical officer of health, reported the lowest number of new cases in recent months — just five on Monday compared to 58 new cases over the weekend. She said she was “pleased” local cases continued to decrease, but said there are concerns about rising counts in other Canadian and global cities that are further along in reopening.

“We cannot take this lightly and we must not let our guard down,” de Villa said.

Still, de Villa said she too is “hopeful” the city will soon move to Stage 3 with added restrictions given the city’s decline in new cases. But she noted Toronto’s “unique circumstances” in the province as the most densely populated city.

With Stage 3 including bars and restaurants, she also directed a specific warning at young people. While younger people may have a lower risk of severe outcomes there are still a risk, she said, and people in their 20s and 30s have become very sick from COVID-19 — some even needing admission to the ICU.

“Younger people are not immune to COVID-19,” she said, adding they must be mindful of those around them that are more at risk.

She noted her team is actively preparing for a surge in cases, something the city should also be prepared for.