Toronto Eaton Centre shop windows covered up by boards (PHOTOS)
The Eaton Centre has been boarded up with wooden panels and cement barricades, presumably to protect stores while they’re closed amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Non-essential businesses across Ontario were ordered to close by Premier Doug Ford last week and just days later, shopping malls across Toronto followed suit.
Cadillac Fairview shopping centres, including the Eaton Centre and Sherway Gardens, are now closed, save for essential shops.
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Clients that remain open at these shopping centres, according to CF, “are largely those providing essential services such as pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, and food services.”
It’s fair to guess that the reason for the barricades and boards are meant to protect the windows of shops that are currently unoccupied as the city practices social distancing.
Images shared across social media are certainly jarring — to see one of Toronto’s most densely-populated spaces so evidently shuttered is strange to witness.
I went for an appropriately-distanced walk towards the Eaton Centre (not far from my apartment), and noticed that some businesses are boarding up. There were a few people out, not surprising since there are some essential businesses along the walk. pic.twitter.com/iKqw7Rxeqa
— Marc (@MarcWritesWords) April 2, 2020
All those Jersey barriers in front of the Eaton Centre could be put to better use giving more space on Yonge. pic.twitter.com/fb5dWVB1mk
— Sean Marshall (@Sean_YYZ) April 2, 2020
The entrances to the Eaton Centre are blocked with Jersey barriers and doors locked “due to COVID-19.”
Isn’t this a violation of the city’s planning requirement for the Eaton Centre to be built? It’s construction in the 1970s blocked off several east-west public access points. pic.twitter.com/LSzQZySVlD
— Sean Marshall (@Sean_YYZ) March 28, 2020
Eaton Center with cement blocks in front of the entrance, and H&M with wooden planks all around display windows and entrance. from r/toronto