By now, you must own a face covering or mask, and if you don't, we suggest you get one ASAP. Not only are they already mandatory onboard all TTC vehicles, on GO Transit and the UP Express, not to mention inside all indoor public spaces, but starting today, face masks must be worn inside all condo and apartment building common areas.
Toronto City Council voted to approve the temporary bylaw last month, following a recommendation from the Medical Officer of Health. Under the City of Toronto By-Law 541-2020, face masks or coverings must now be worn by all individuals in enclosed common spaces such as lobbies, hallways elevators, and laundry rooms.
READ: Face Masks and Coverings Officially Mandatory in Common Areas of Residential Buildings
Like the City’s existing mask or face covering bylaw, the recommendation includes exemptions for individuals who are unable to wear a mask or face covering for medical reasons, children under two years old, and other reasonable accommodations.
To make it easier to implement the policies, the City has created guidance documents and posters that building operators can print off and display in common areas of rental and condo buildings to encourage mask use.
Prior to the bylaw passing, Mayor John Tory said he had written a letter to the Greater Toronto Apartment Association, which represents 240 property management companies that own and operate more than 160,000 units in the region, urging them to enforce mandatory mask rules in the common areas of their rental residential buildings.
The bylaw comes into effect as Ontario health officials reported 86 new COVID-19 cases and no new deaths on Wednesday, marking the longest stretch the province's new cases have stayed below 100 per day since late March.
