There is no longer any ambiguity: COVID-19 cases are rising rapidly in our city. We must act now in order to stop transmission, preserve our health care system, and prevent another city-wide lockdown.

We're in a very different place today than we were back in August. Our Medical Officer of Health @epdevilla has issued new recommendations and advice, including limiting social interactions with anyone outside your household. This means the 10-person "social bubble" is over.

This doesn't apply to schools, or workplaces for those who can't work at home. Instead, it's about limiting social interactions – which have been contributing to rising cases. We need to keep our distance (at least 6 ft) from anyone we don't live with and other essential contacts

When people can't keep their distance – like at school, or in some workplaces – masks should be required. Our Medical Officer of Health is calling on the Province to mandate masks in workplaces outside of our City's jurisdiction.

In addition to extending existing bylaws on physical distancing and mask usage, @epdevilla is also recommending increased rules for bars and restaurants, including reduced capacity and table limits.

We're at a tipping point. The trajectory of the curve in our city depends directly on actions that we take today. The above measures will help increase safety for workers, customers, and all Torontonians. But our success also depends on each and every one of us doing our part.