Response to COVID-19 - May 2021 Update

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The decision

2021-06-08 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on June 8 and 9, 2021, adopted the following: 1. City Council urge the Government of Ontario to prioritize and increase the allocation of vaccine supplies for second doses in COVID-19 hot spot communities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and across Ontario. 2. City Council acknowledge and thank Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines for their important contributions toward an equitable

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immunization campaign and request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the Fire Chief and General Manager - Emergency Management and Toronto's COVID-19 Incident Commander and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, to advance, as appropriate, the following recommendations from Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines with the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario: a. a simplified, centralized vaccine booking process that includes disability-related priority groups and navigation supports for disabled people; b. accessibility and accommodations training for staff at vaccine clinics to appropriately provide accommodations and care from a human rights perspective; c. accessible clinic locations that include private, quiet spaces available for those who require this as an accommodation and other accommodations, as requested; d. disability-specific clinics, such as mobile, drive through and pop-up community clinics, that are appropriately resourced to ensure that these options are offered in a timely fashion; e. prioritized access to in-home vaccination through existing mobile vaccination outreach methods, including Emergency Medical Services and Ontario Health Teams-mediated mobile vaccination efforts; and f. clear communication and navigation resources in accessible formats, such as Braille, plain language and American Sign Language, that are specific to people with disabilities and include information about their eligibility and how to access vaccines. 3. City Council acknowledge and thank the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee for their work and Transmittal (June 2, 2021) and: a. request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with appropriate City divisions, to continue working with Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines towards the goal of enhancing access to vaccines for people with disabilities; b. forward the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee's Transmittal to the Medical Officer of Health and the City Manager for consideration; and c. request the Medical Officer of Health and the City Manager, in consultation with appropriate City divisions, to provide an update on the recommendations in the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee's Transmittal at the September 2, 2021 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee. 4. City Council extend By-laws 322-2020 and 323-2020 that regulate physical distancing in public spaces in Toronto until 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the City Council meeting currently scheduled for September 30 and October 1, 2021 or, if that City Council meeting does not take place as scheduled, until 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the first City Council meeting that next occurs. 5. City Council extend By-law 541-2020 that requires people to wear masks or face coverings in common areas of businesses, apartments, and condominiums until 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the City Council meeting currently scheduled for September 30 and October 1, 2021 or, if that City Council meeting does not take place as scheduled, until 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the first City Council meeting that next occurs. 6. City Council extend the COVID-19 amendments to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 354, Apartment Buildings (Section 354-3.11) that require landlords to provide hand washing/sanitizing in common areas, close non-essential common areas consistent with Provincial Orders, increase cleaning, and post Toronto Public Health signage until 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the City Council meeting currently scheduled for September 30 and October 1, 2021 or, if that City Council meeting does not take place as scheduled, until 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the first City Council meeting that next occurs. 7. City Council extend the COVID-19 amendments to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 545, Licensing (Section 545-8.4.1) that require establishments serving food and drink to implement enhanced measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including screening staff, limiting patrons, maintaining customer logs, and limiting the number of people sitting at a table until 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the City Council meeting currently scheduled for September 30 and October 1, 2021 or, if that City Council meeting does not take place as scheduled, until 12:01 a.m. on the first day after the first City Council meeting that next occurs. 8. City Council request the Medical Officer of Health to review the necessity of each By-law on a monthly basis and to report if any changes or extensions are required before or at the September 30 and October 1, 2021 meeting of City Council. 9. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary Bills and apply for set fines to give effect to City Council's decision; and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, or technical amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, in order to give best effect to the Medical Officer of Health's recommendations for the protection of the public as described in the supplementary report (June 1, 2021) from the Medical Officer of Health.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

The spread and impact of COVID-19 has never been greater in Toronto, with variants of concern increasing both the risk of transmission and the risk of serious illness or death. COVID-19 vaccination in Toronto and across Ontario is progressing well however, transmission of the virus is continuing to place significant strain on the healthcare system. Hospitalization rates in Toronto are the highest on record during the pandemic and are expected to increase.

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Without strengthened public health measures, data analysis and projections indicate it will take until late summer before a significant reduction in new case counts is observed in Toronto. It is imperative that all people in Toronto stay home as much as possible, wear a mask when outside the house and practise physical distancing with anyone not from the same household. This report provides an update on the COVID-19 pandemic locally and the status of the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in Toronto. It also provides an update on how the City's COVID-19 response has included targeted measures for people with disabilities, including responding to outstanding recommendations from the November 2020 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee. As directed by the Board of Health in March 2021, this report includes an update on COVID-19 related policies for those who live in long-term care and retirement homes. As directed by the Board of Health in December 2020, staff have updated the report, "Indirect Impact of COVID-19 and Associated Public Health Measures on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Toronto Residents", with data and research from the remainder of 2020. A summary of the findings is provided below, with a full report in Attachment 1.

Staff recommended

The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health request the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to consider updating guidance for long-term care and retirement homes to maximize quality of life for residents, where there are high rates of vaccination and where there are appropriate safety measures and conditions in place, to permit additional and fully vaccinated visitors, increase group and social activities, including opportunities for congregate dining, and allow off-site visits for fully vaccinated residents.

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2. The Board of Health request the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to analyze a wide range of data associated with long-term care homes and retirement homes, to inform future COVID-19 public health measures for residents. 3. The Board of Health direct that this report be forwarded to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility for consideration. 4. The Board of Health direct that this report be forwarded to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee for consideration.

Considered

2021-05-10 · Board of Health · amended
Decision as filed
The Board of Health recommends that: 1. City Council acknowledge and thank Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines for their important contributions toward an equitable immunization campaign and request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the Fire Chief and General Manager - Emergency Management and Toronto's COVID-19 Incident Commander and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, to advance, as appropriate, the following recommendations from Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines with the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario: a.
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a simplified, centralized vaccine booking process that includes disability-related priority groups and navigation supports for disabled people; b. accessibility and accommodations training for staff at vaccine clinics to appropriately provide accommodations and care from a human rights perspective; c. accessible clinic locations that include private, quiet spaces available for those who require this as an accommodation and other accommodations, as requested; d. disability-specific clinics, such as mobile, drive through and pop-up community clinics, that are appropriately resourced to ensure that these options are offered in a timely fashion; e. prioritized access to in-home vaccination through existing mobile vaccination outreach methods, including Emergency Medical Services and Ontario Health Teams-mediated mobile vaccination efforts; and f. clear communication and navigation resources in accessible formats, such as Braille, plain language and American Sign Language, that are specific to people with disabilities and include information about their eligibility and how to access vaccines.
Clerk’s note
The Board of Health: 1. Called on the Government of Ontario to extend the allocation of 50 percent of all vaccine supplies to Ontario's hot spot communities for an additional two weeks (four weeks in total), as recommended by the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. 2. Called on the Government of Ontario to reopen outdoor recreation amenities, which were closed under Provincial Order (Ontario Regulation 82/20 under the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020), in a manner that ensures access to the outdoors alongside rigorous safety measures.
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3. Requested the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to consider updating guidance for long-term care and retirement homes to maximize quality of life for residents, where there are high rates of vaccination and where there are appropriate safety measures and conditions in place, to permit additional and fully vaccinated visitors, increase group and social activities, including opportunities for congregate dining, and allow off-site visits for fully vaccinated residents. 4. Requested the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to analyze a wide range of data associated with long-term care and retirement homes to inform future COVID-19 public health measures for residents. 5. Acknowledged and thanked Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines for their important contributions toward an equitable immunization campaign and requested the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the Fire Chief and General Manager - Emergency Management and Toronto's COVID-19 Incident Commander and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, to advance, as appropriate, the following recommendations from Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines with the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario: a. a simplified, centralized vaccine booking process that includes disability-related priority groups and navigation supports for disabled people; b. accessibility and accommodations training for staff at vaccine clinics to appropriately provide accommodations and care from a human rights perspective; c. accessible clinic locations that include private, quiet spaces available for those who require this as an accommodation and other accommodations, as requested; d. disability-specific clinics, such as mobile, drive through and pop-up community clinics, that are appropriately resourced to ensure that these options are offered in a timely fashion; e. prioritized access to in-home vaccination through existing mobile vaccination outreach methods, including Emergency Medical Services and Ontario Health Teams-mediated mobile vaccination efforts; and f. clear communication and navigation resources in accessible formats, such as Braille, plain language and American Sign Language, that are specific to people with disabilities and include information about their eligibility and how to access vaccines. 6. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to explore every potential option to collect disaggregated data on COVID-19 cases, risks and vaccination rates for people with disabilities in Toronto, both independently at the municipal level as well as with support from the Government of Ontario, where available. 7. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to report, as part of the recurring COVID-19 pandemic update presentation, to the June 14, 2021 meeting of the Board of Health on the status of on-site workplace vaccinations. 8. Directed that the report (April 29, 2021) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility for consideration. 9. Directed that the report (April 29, 2021) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee for consideration. The Medical Officer of Health gave a presentation on Response to COVID-19: May 2021 Update. The Director, Community Resources, Social Development, Finance and Administration gave a presentation on Community Engagement and Mobilization Plan: Update to Toronto Board of Health. Wendy Porch, Executive Director, Centre for Independent Living in Toronto and Chair, Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines gave a presentation on Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines: Overview and Recommendations. Dr. Akwatu Khenti, Special Advisor, TO Supports: COVID-19 Equity Action Plan and Chair, Black Scientists' Task Force on Vaccine Equity and Dr. David Burt, Member, Black Scientists' Task Force on Vaccine Equity gave a presentation on Black Scientists' Task Force on Vaccine Equity: A Brief Overview of Town Hall Engagements and Findings.
2021-06-08 · Toronto City Council · amended

On the record

The item as the City filed it