Toronto to make it mandatory to wear face masks indoors

If you've been forgoing a mask in recent days as you get out and enjoy all that Stage 2 of reopening has to offer, Mayor John Tory has some news for you: face coverings will soon be officially mandatory in indoor public spaces.

Municipalities across Ontario have been assessing whether they should make the simple measure a must for the public, with Toronto and Peel region deciding to do so on Tuesday morning.

The bylaw will come into effect on July 6 in Peel and July 7 in Toronto pending a final vote by City Council later today. Tory said at a briefing on Tuesday that he is confident it will pass following a report from the city's medical officer of health, Dr. Eileen de Villa.

Get your masks ready, Toronto! The Mayor is announcing at 9am that the #TOpoli municipal government are making mask wearing mandatory in Toronto. Surprised it took so long!
Wonder how they'll enforce it, when it'll be in put into effect, & where we'll be required to mask up https://t.co/PEjI4LlDE2

— Dan Levy (@TheDanLevy) June 30, 2020

"We are in the midst of reopening our city... so we will continue to do everything we can to keep this virus from spreading and to avoid a resurgence of cases like we're seeing in other jurisdictions in North America" Tory said. 

Do you think Toronto should make face masks mandatory in all indoor spaces and crowded outdoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible?

— blogTO (@blogTO) June 29, 2020

"Wearing fabric masks or face coverings keep you from unknowingly spreading this COVID-19 virus and keeps the people around you from spreading it to you. It is about respecting and protecting each other."

Though residents were already required to don the protective covering when entering certain businesses, taking public transit or getting on a plane, despite the recommendations of health officials, it seems some have given up on mask wearing as Ontario's case numbers continue on a downward trend and things start feeling a bit more normal.

Torontonians, you will need wear a face mask in all indoor spaces starting next week.

Good news for everyone. #Toronto #covid https://t.co/xWMFiO4a16

— Shannon Skinner 💖 (@Shannon_Skinner) June 30, 2020

A number of mayors have been calling for Ontario Premier Doug Ford to implement a compulsory mask policy province-wide, but decided to take matters into their own hands when his team said it "isn't necessary" — and after learning that regional health units are able to make their own rules surrounding the garment under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Face coverings have been found to be the easiest and most effective way to reduce transmission of airborne viruses like COVID-19, as they inhibit the physical spread of aerosols and droplets released into the air when talking, coughing, sneezing or breathing.

They are, of course, most effective if both parties wear one, especially an individual who may be unknowingly infected.

In Japan, wearing a mask is a social norm. The difference is striking vs walking around in Downtown Toronto. https://t.co/2ocTlR4HjB

— Eric Carroll (@Eric_Carroll) June 29, 2020

While mask wearing has long been a common courtesy in countries like Japan — which has fared quite well with the pandemic — citizens of countries like the U.S. have become notorious for their refusal to wear one amid the health crisis.