JOIN THE #StaySafeTO CAMPAIGN

Toronto’s hospitality businesses have always placed a high priority on guest safety, and that commitment has taken on new importance in the current environment. That's why a new online campaign is highlighting the important and thoughtful work hospitality businesses have done to keep guests safe. You can read the full announcement about the campaign here.

Join the #StaySafeTO campaign across social media today.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN TAKE PART:  

1. Tell us what you're doing: Fill out this form and tell us how your business is keeping guests safe. We'll use as many images as we can on our social platforms promoting safety within the hospitality industry.
   
2. Add your own story: Share your safety measures on your social media platforms using #StaySafeTO so we can track and repost your content.
3. Share the graphics: Download these graphics that you can use on social, like the one above. You can also use this full-page graphic.

We know that consumers are feeling uncertain right now, so it’s important that we all communicate these important steps taken to keep guests safe. This is a campaign intended to be shared by all. So let's go out there and keep telling locals the great work that has been done across the industry.

DOWNLOAD AND DISPLAY CITY OF TORONTO COVID-19 SAFETY POSTERS

The City of Toronto has created COVID-19 safety cards and posters that can be downloaded and displayed in establishments. Download and display posters including a dedicated poster encouraging locals to download the COVID Alert App.

REMINDER: APPLY FOR THE WTTC 'SAFE TRAVEL STAMP'

Hospitality businesses across Toronto, and the country, are getting certified with the WTTC Safe Travel Stamp. Administered by TIAO domestically, the stamp allows guests to recognize businesses that have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols. Eligible companies such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, short term rentals, car rentals, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented.

GOVERNMENT UPDATE: 
NEW ONTARIO RESTRICTIONS, TORONTO EXTENDS EVENT CANCELLATIONS

Ontario implements further COVID-19 restrictions: Earlier today, the Ontario government announced further restrictions to battle COVID-19. As of Saturday, restaurants, bars and nightclubs need to collect contact information from every diner or patron. Capacity in Toronto remains six people per table and 75 people per venue.

Banquet halls will also have to limit capacity to 50 people per facility rather than 50 people per room, as is currently allowed, and there cannot be more than six people seated at a table.

Minister MacLeod announces new grant during Multi-Sector Telephone Town Hall: Earlier today, Minister Lisa MacLeod hosted her 9^th town hall and announced a new $9 million grant for local winter tourism. The minister also announced that she will be speaking at the Empire Club of Canada on October 30 to set the ministry’s plan moving forward. We’ll share more details when they become available.

Toronto extends city-led and permitted event cancellations: The City of Toronto is extending the cancellation of City-led and City-permitted outdoor major events to December 31. To mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on festivals and events, the City has repurposed grant funding that was previously approved by City Council and launched the Cultural Festivals Recovery Program, providing $565,000 to support cultural festivals that have been impacted by the pandemic. More information can be found at the link above.

Canada extends travel restrictions: Canada is once again extending travel restrictions to foreign travellers as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. The travel restriction is now in place until October 31.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Air Canada finalizing initial order for newly approved COVID-19 rapid testing kits: Air Canada said today that it is finalizing an initial order of Abbott's ID NOW COVID-19 rapid response tests as part of its ongoing evaluation of COVID-19 testing technology and protocols. The airline, which last month partnered with McMaster Health Labs and the GTAA in a study of arriving international travellers at Toronto-Pearson, said preliminary results from the study indicate testing can help protect customers and facilitate the safe relaxation of government travel restrictions.

Nuit Blanche Toronto unveils virtual program for October 3: The 15th annual Nuit Blanche Toronto will be reimagined on October 3 starting at 7 p.m. until October 12. This year, North America’s largest free contemporary art event will be delivered in a special digital format to ensure public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online event will include talks, podcasts, a release of the 14-year archive called Nuit History, live streams, and artworks in augmented and virtual reality.