As mounted police officers trotted along Woodbine Beach to remind people the sandy stretch is closed by provincial order, Toronto Public Health officials reported the number of COVID-19 cases in the city had reached 1,026, with 101 new cases as of Saturday afternoon.

The latest figures, along with Friday’s dire provincial projections, underline the need for people to stay home, Mayor John Tory told the Star Saturday evening.

“That evidence is truer today than it was yesterday, and I think people are beginning to get the message,” Tory said after the first day of a city-wide enforcement blitz which saw bylaw officers, parks staff and police fan out across problem areas to educate and, when needed, enforce the rules.

Tory was encouraged to hear that relatively few people were gathering in parks and hopes that Torontonians continue to follow public health advice to “end this nightmare.”

“Without saying you can’t go to park, we prefer you don’t,” he said. Those “lucky enough” to have a yard can stay there, he said, or use their balcony or porch. “I’ve suggested to many people if they want to have fresh air to go to a quiet side street and have a walk where there are not so many people and learn about a new neighbourhood.”

There are 823 confirmed cases in the city, plus 203 probable cases — 125 people with the virus are in hospital, 53 of them in intensive care, while 66 have recovered. Public health officials say 25 people have died of COVID-19 in Toronto, and 27 per cent of cases are linked to community spread.

In an emailed statement, Toronto Public Health spokesperson Dr. Michael Finkelstein said it was important to note that the daily confirmed and probable numbers do not “necessary reflect the complete picture of COVID-19 in Toronto.” He said many factors contribute to the daily increase, including criteria to determine who is tested and the volume of lab testing that is completed.

As the virus continues to spread, the province and city have responded with a series of rules. On March 25, Toronto announced that city-owned playgrounds, off-leash dog parks and other park amenities, including parking lots, were closed. On March 28, the province banned gatherings of more than five people, and a couple of days later issued an emergency order to close all outdoor recreational amenities, including beaches, sports fields and picnic areas. This past week, looking to move physical distancing from the realm of suggestion to requirement, Tory also enacted an emergency order requiring physical distance of two metres between people who don’t live together, which applies to the city’s parks and public squares.

The 311 hotline received 1,409 complaints about irresponsible or illegal behaviour in city parks from mid- to late March. Ten “emerging problem areas” have been identified, according to city staff: Bluffer’s Park, Canoe Landing, Christie Pits, High Park, Humber Bay Park East, Sunnyside Park, Trinity Bellwoods, Van Horne Park, Woodbine Park and Sherwood Park.

By Saturday evening, Tory was encouraged by feedback from front-line staff from the blitz: While more than 100 cars were turned away from the Humber East and Humber West parking lots, Tory said relatively few people were gathering in parks and those who were there were following the rules. Only a “few people” needed reminders, he said.

In some cases, people didn’t realize the order extended to beaches. Tory said his physical distancing bylaw for city parks and public squares is meant to be more of an “attention getter” than something that produces “a lot of tickets.” He was comfortable creating it because public health data shows this is a “matter of life and death,” he said. This weekend’s blitz, which continues Sunday, is meant to be educational, but Tory heard that a few tickets were issued Saturday.

Tory realizes that some people need parks because they do not have outdoor space of their own. He said city officials discussed closing parks but, “What are going to do, put up yellow tape around High Park?”

A city spokesperson said that any member of the public with concerns about “inappropriate park usage” should call 311 with their concerns, not 911.

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