Message from the Chief Safety Officer

Updates to TTC’s COVID-19 safety protocols, starting March 7, 2022

The City of Toronto has entered the Roadmap Exit Step of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen, with most temporary public health and safety measures now lifted.

The following key changes came into effect on March 1:

• All indoor and outdoor capacity limits are now lifted, including for all businesses, public gatherings and events.

• Proof of vaccination requirements are lifted, with continuation of such requirements now being the decision of individual businesses.

We know that COVID-19 is still with us and will continue for the foreseeable future. But there are reasons for cautious optimism. We continue to see positive signs that the Omicron wave is receding. The moving average for both hospitalizations and ICU admissions continue to decline, as well as the amount of virus detected in wastewater and the number of outbreaks in various settings.

Like many others, we will begin taking steps to loosen some of the COVID-19 restrictions. It has been a long two years of living with COVID-19, but we have gotten through this together.

Stay safe.

Betty Hasserjian
Chief Safety Officer (acting)
March 7, 2022

What does this mean for TTC?

Easing of restrictions
The following restrictions are being lifted immediately:

• Masking is no longer required in your own office space (e.g. individual office or cubicle) as long as physical distance (two metres) can be maintained. Please note, in all other instances, masks are still required to be worn indoors on all TTC properties.

• Eye protection (e.g. safety glasses with side shields or foam gasket, goggles or face shields) is only required in frontline or public-facing positions where there is exposure to others without masks and physical distance (two metres or greater) cannot be maintained at all times.

• There are no more limits on gatherings as long as physical distancing is maintained.

• Washroom facilities can be restored to allow full occupancy. For all other spaces or areas, continue to limit occupancy to ensure physical distancing can be maintained.

• There is no longer a limit of two people allowed per vehicle for non-revenue vehicles. All individuals riding in the vehicle must still wear a medical mask or N95 mask at all times while in the vehicle. Avoid eating or drinking where you must remove your mask and optimize the ventilation in the vehicle (e.g. open windows where possible).

• Cohorting and the staggering of shifts to prevent overlap is no longer required.

• BBQs and social/work events are currently permitted. Pre-packaged food can be served and physical distancing must be maintained during pick up and consuming of food items.

Continued precautions
The following safety precautions are being maintained:

• On all TTC properties, masks are still required to be worn indoors unless actively eating or drinking – if you are actively eating or drinking you must maintain physical distance. The only exception to this is if you are in your own office space (e.g. individual office or cubicle) and physical distance can be maintained.

• Masks must be medical grade masks (American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Level 2) or N95 masks. Masks must be valveless, and cover your nose, mouth and chin at all times. Wearing a cloth mask over the medical mask (do not use two medical masks) is acceptable.

• Continue to do your own screening for symptoms and stay home if you are feeling sick, even with mild COVID-19 symptoms.

• Continue to report COVID-19 symptoms to your Manager or Supervisor and follow the isolation requirements for you and your household members.

• All employees are encouraged to get their booster COVID-19 shot. A number of booster clinics have been scheduled at or close to TTC facilities so please continue to check for booster clinics if needed. The TTC’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for all staff, new-hires and contractors remains in place.

• Wash your hands or use alcohol-based sanitizer often.

• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with an elbow or a tissue.

• Clean and disinfect shared workstations and high touch point surfaces of amenities before and after use. Please ask your Manager or Supervisor for wipes of disinfectants should you need them.

Safety Notice issued on March 7, 2022