Toronto makes masks mandatory, citing US problems
A woman wearing a mask waits to board a subway car during morning commuting hours in Toronto, Canada. (AFP)
TORONTO — Canada’s largest city has made masks mandatory in public indoor spaces.
“You have told us you don’t want to see a repeat of what you see when you turn on your TV and see reports from the United States,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said.
Toronto city council approved a bylaw and it will come into effect July 7.
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, said there is growing evidence that shows non-medical masks can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and noted many cities in the U.S. are seeing a resurgence in cases since reopening.
De Villa said she made the recommendation to help Toronto move from Stage 2 of the Ontario’s reopening plan to Stage 3.
She said masks will help indoor spaces — most of which had been closed during the earlier stages of the pandemic — stay safe.
“I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for all of us to remember that we are still in the middle of a pandemic,″ De Villa said during a news conference Tuesday.
The bylaw will be re-examined in September.
Tory said they must do everything they can do to avoid the flare ups seen in other jurisdictions.
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