Toronto backtracks on return-to-office plans for city employees as Omicron spreads fear
City staff may be told to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19, Toronto city councillor Joe Cressy says amid the escalating coronavirus fear that continues to drive the downtown business community.
Toronto is preparing to tell city employees to stay home, including front-line workers at the mayor’s office and Toronto Fire Services, to slow the spread of the virus, Toronto city councillor Joe Cressy told a city committee. “At this point, we as a city and city staff, it’s not an effort by the mayor, the city manager, it’s a concerted effort of our staff,” Cressy said. A number of city workers are also being asked to self isolate at their homes. The city is prepared to tell other public and private workers to avoid office meetings and public events to slow the spread of the virus, he said.
A spokesman for the Toronto Fire Services, which has been understaffed in its response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, confirmed the public order directives were issued. He said the city’s staff may be instructed to stay home until further notice.
Toronto is asking workers at the mayor’s office and Toronto Fire Services to avoid conferences, meetings and other public events, according to city councillor Joe Cressy, as part of an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 at a time when the city faces stiff economic and financial pressure.
“At this point, we as a city and city staff, it’s not an effort by the mayor, the city manager, it’s a concerted effort of our staff,” Cressy said during an emergency city hall meeting Monday. “And we are trying to spread the message.”
City workers are being told to come to city hall or visit their personal vehicles early to make sure they have all of the equipment they need, to help avoid exposure to