City of Toronto approves extension of COVID-19 masking bylaw

Toronto City Council has approved the extension of COVID-19-related temporary bylaws in the city, including masking.

The vote will keep the bylaws in place until at least April 2022, when the council will meet again to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the city.

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“We introduced the mandatory mask bylaw based on the recommendation of Toronto Public Health to help combat COVID-19,” Mayor John Tory said in a statement. “Now, as we confront the Omicron variant, we know from public health officials that making sure we are wearing our masks when around others indoors is even more important.”

Today, Toronto City Council approved the extension of the #CityofTO‘s #COVID19 temporary bylaws, the Mandatory Mask bylaw (541-2020 and 664-2020) and the COVID-19 amendments to Chapter 354, Apartment Buildings until the end of City Council’s April 2022 meeting.

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) December 15, 2021

The City’s mask bylaw requires everyone to wear a mask indoor public spaces, including in public areas of apartment and condo buildings. The bylaws also require apartment and condo buildings to have a hand hygiene station and post Toronto Public Health signage about COVID-19.

The extension was granted due to the latest epidemiological evidence and in light of the Omicron variant. Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health will continue to assess the situation monthly regarding the continuation of the bylaws.