Mayor John Tory was joined by Toronto’s medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa on Wednesday to provide an update on the city’s COVID-19 cases and to discuss reopening plans as the city moves into Stage 3 on Friday.

In a press release issued Wednesday morning, government officials said the decision was based on positive local trends such as lower transmission of COVID-19, ongoing hospital capacity, public health capacity to conduct rapid case and contact management and a significant increase in testing.

Tory said during his update that Toronto moving into Stage 3 on July 31 is “only possible” because of residents’ commitments to “keep each other safe.”

The mayor also provided details about what operations can resume, including more than 800 playgrounds and play structures, and indoor dining at restaurants and bars (except for buffet operations) with proper health measures in place.

Tory also announced that Toronto will be opening an additional 10 of its city-operated childcare centres by Tuesday, July 4, saying that the reopenings of these facilities will follow provincial regulations and will "mirror the cautious approach” that has been taken with the reopening of all city services and amenities.

Dr. de Villa reported 13 confirmed and six probable new COVID-19 infections in Toronto on Wednesday, stating that she is pleased to see the city's numbers "trending in the right direction."

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/7228985/ontario-stage-three-toronto-peel-windsor-essex-coronavirus/

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