Toronto to reopen office buildings in Jan. 2022, hopes to send 'signal' to other employers
The City of Toronto will be reopening all of its office buildings at maximum capacity in January and asking its employees to return to the office at least part-time, despite the emergency of a new COVID-19 variant of concern in the province.
Mayor John Tory announced on Tuesday that city-owned office buildings will reopen to all employees on Jan. 4, 2022, while still complying to public health restrictions.
“Every City of Toronto office building will be open to the maximum occupancy possible under the rules and that will increase automatically as the pandemic recedes and as physical distancing requirements in workplaces are modified by the provincial government,” he said at a COVID-19 briefing from city hall.
Tory added that any city employees who are currently working from home will be allowed to come back into the office on a hybrid working model.
The city anticipates that most staff members will work three days a week in the office and the remainder of the week at home.
Around 75 per cent of Toronto employees who don’t have a work from home option have been coming to work throughout the pandemic, and 25 per cent have been able to work from home.
Tory said he hopes that the move will motivate other employers to reopen their workplaces.
“I believe this is an important signal to other workplaces in both the private and public sectors that we can safely return and reinvigorate the economy and the downtown core process and do so safely,” Tory said.
All city workers who come into the office must be fully vaccinated, as outlined in the city’s vaccination policy.
Earlier this month, the city said that 98 per cent of city employees received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 94 per cent had received two doses and are considered fully vaccinated.
Those who did not submit their vaccination status were subject to a six-week unpaid suspension and will be terminated if they choose not to get fully vaccinated starting on Dec. 13.
In addition to office buildings, City Hall, Metro Hall and civic centres will be reopening to the public on Jan. 4, 2022.
“This will mean the public will be able to access the main floor rotunda, washrooms, library and counter services on the first floor, and attend scheduled meetings with me, with counselors and with our team members,” Tory said.
The digital counter services that rolled out throughout the pandemic will remain available, Tory said.
Tory also said that council meetings will return to in-person sessions in January, with an option for members to participate virtually if they choose to.
“If and when physical distancing measures are further lifted in the new year we will welcome the public back to in-person council and committee meetings,” Tory said.
Tory’s announcement comes after the World Health Organization recently designated a new COVID-19 variant of concern, Omicron, that was discovered in southern Africa.
In response to the variant of concern, Canada along with other countries implemented travel restrictions last week on flights from seven countries in southern Africa.
Health officials have raised concerns about the variant due to its higher number of genetic mutations and possible rapid spread.
As of Monday, Ontario confirmed a total of four cases of the Omicron variant found in Ottawa.
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, said the city will monitor the situation between now and January and make changes to the reopening plan for office buildings if necessary.
“We are in constant communication, we are regularly monitoring the situation… should the circumstances change, I know that we will be discussing that and taking appropriate course of action in concert with the data we have on the ground and the best available science,” she said at the briefing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.