Toronto orders 4 full, 8 partial workplace closures under new COVID-19 order

The City of Toronto has ordered four full and eight partial workplace closures under a new order aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 in businesses.

Dr. Eileen de Villa, the City’s medical officer of health, made the announcement during a news conference Monday afternoon.

“Instructions to these organizations are underway today,” she said.

“Once they have received written notice, the instructions require immediate action.”

Read more:
Peel Public Health orders partial closure of 2 Amazon fulfillment centres

De Villa said the partial closures are for “instances where findings indicate the entire operation does not need to shut down.” She added that could mean a section, a team, or a shift are affected.

The names of the affected businesses would be made public once they have been notified, de Villa said.

Last week, the medical officers for Toronto and Peel Region issued a Section 22 order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. The order allows local public health staff to temporarily close businesses with five or more workplace-related COVID-19 infections.

On Saturday, Peel Region announced the partial closure of two Amazon fulfillment centres.

NEW: Dr. de Villa says with the Sect. 22 she issued for workplace outbreaks, there are 8 partial closures for Toronto workplaces and 4 full closures after weekend investigations. They will only name the businesses after they receive their notices (sometime later, she says).

— Matthew Bingley (@mattybing) April 26, 2021