COVID-19 City of Toronto takes action to enable 24-hour retail deliveries

Monday, 16 March 2020 02:25.PM

City of Toronto takes action to enable 24-hour retail deliveries

As part of the City of Toronto’s response to COVID-19 in support of businesses and the community, effective immediately and until further notice, all retail businesses are exempt from the City of Toronto Noise Bylaw to facilitate after-hour deliveries.

The City's Noise Bylaw includes the ability to provide an exemption in response to extraordinary circumstances affecting the immediate health, safety or welfare of the community. This exemption will ensure retailers can receive deliveries 24 hours of a day, seven days a week to ensure essential goods remain in stock

City staff – in consultation with Mayor John Tory's office – moved quickly to make this immediate change after it was raised by the Retail Council of Canada as a way to allow additional deliveries for retailers.

“We are taking this action to help Toronto businesses get deliveries and continue to stock their shelves with essential goods for our residents. By exempting retail businesses from the City's noise bylaw right now, we will ensure that retailers can receive deliveries 24 hours of a day, seven days a week. This action is part of the City's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and my focus on protecting the people of Toronto, including our most vulnerable residents, and helping businesses.”
- Mayor John Tory

There is no need for residents to panic-buy and stockpile. While being prepared for emergencies is always advised, any bulk purchasing beyond a two-week supply jeopardizes the ability of vulnerable people to access essential food and health supplies.

For updates on the COVID-19 risk in Toronto and information on how to protect yourself from infection, visit https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/.

SOURCE: City of Toronto