Dear brothers and sisters:
We hope and pray that you are staying well, healthy and safe during this still rapidly spreading pandemic.
We thank each of you who have made great effort to transition to worshipping, studying the Bible, fellowshipping and praying together virtually.
We as a team has been following all the developments related to Covid-19 closely.
We would like to summarize the recent new government laws that we as a church and as individuals must obey.
- City of Toronto (appendix 1) order announced on Apr 1, 2020. This order clearly strongly directs that all non-essential travel outside of one’s home to stop. This includes coming to church to live stream, for choir or worship practice or for any other meetings.
- Ontario has ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses. (appendix 2) We note that the church is non-essential. The church should be closed and all its services provided virtually. The Food Bank is essential and is not required to close. (item 60)
- Ontario has ordered no gatherings of >5 people. (appendix 3)
While it is sad and painful that we have to close the church and transition all our functions to virtual means, every Christian is a civil citizen. Therefore, we should fulfill our civil obligations as a way to glorify God and bless people when it does not contradict God’s law. (Rom 13:1-5) This is especially true when breaking the law can put people’s health and lives in danger.
Furthermore those of us who are directors of the church have the duty to ensure that the church is operating within the law. We do not want to be found negligent if anyone gets Covid-19 from contact in the church.
We trust that each of you will seek godly wisdom to align your ministries and conduct within the framework of these new laws.
Covid-19 Response Team
Apr 3, 2020
新冠肺炎應變小組新訊 (2020/04/03)
親愛的弟兄姊妹：
在快速擴散的疫情中，我們禱告和盼望你們能保持一切安好，健康和安全。
感謝所有付出努力協助過渡至網上崇拜、學習真理、相交和禱告的弟兄姊妹。
作為團隊，我們也緊貼跟進與新冠肺炎有關的事誼。
在此簡單總結作為個人及教會，我們當遵守政府最近那些新法例。
- 多倫多巿政府 (附件一appendix 1)於四月一日發佈指令，強烈要求停止一切非必須的出外行為，這包括返教會參與直播、練詩或任何聚會。
- 安省政府指令暫停所有非必須的公司運作(附件二appendix 2)。我們明白教會被界定為非必須性的， 教會應停止實體運作而把所有事工轉在網上進行。食物銀行屬於必須性的，可以繼續維持運作。(第60項)
- 安省政府指令任何聚會都不能超過五人。(附件三)
雖然停止教會實體運作而改為網上進行是讓人傷痛的事，但基督徒作為公民，在沒有違返聖經真理的前題下，理當守法並透過盡公民責任來榮神益人。(羅13:1-5) 明顯地，違反法例致使危害別人健康和性命是不應該的。
再者，作為教會的董事，我們有責任確保教會運作符合法例，我們不想因為疏忽大意致使有人在教會感染新冠肺炎。
我們深信大家會尋求屬神智慧在符合新法例下繼續事工和運作。
Appendix 1
City of Toronto taking unprecedented action to stop COVID-19, save lives, the healthcare system and the economy
1-Apr-2020
Today, Mayor John Tory announced that the City of Toronto, under the strong advice of its Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, is taking action to aggressively halt the spread of COVID-19 in Toronto.
Just two weeks ago, on March 18, Toronto had 145 COVID-19 cases, with 10 people in hospital. Four were in intensive care, there were no outbreaks and there were no COVID-19-related deaths.
As of March 31, Toronto has 763 cases of COVID-19, with 66 in hospital and 33 in intensive care. There are now 11 outbreaks reported and, tragically, eight deaths.
In the last two weeks alone, the economic loss to the retail sector is estimated to be $291 million.
To arrest COVID-19 more quickly, and to save lives, protect the healthcare system and ensure the economy and society can rebound more quickly, the following measures will take effect immediately for up to 12 weeks:
- All individuals with COVID-19 are ordered by the Medical Officer of Health to stay home, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act for 14 days
- All individuals who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are also ordered to stay home by the Medical Officer of Health for 14 days
- Anyone who is not ill or has not travelled, is strongly directed to stay home except for the following reasons:
- accessing healthcare or medication
- shop for groceries once per week
- -walk their dogs
- -get daily exercise while maintaining physical distancing of at least two meters
- People returning from international travel must stay home, already a federal order
- Anyone over the age of 70, as the province announced this week, is strongly encouraged to stay home as much as possible
- Increased supports for self-isolation for those experiencing homelessness
- Only essential businesses remain open, and those businesses maximize physical distancing and infection prevention and control practices, and limit in-person access to those businesses, as much as possible
- Increased cleaning and active screening of employees at all businesses.
The City, under the guidance of the Medical Officer of Health, will monitor cases and community transmission of COVID-19, adjusting the timing and measures as appropriate. If we do not take these actions today, the city will see substantially increased loss of life, and may not begin to recover, economically and as a society, until the end of 2020.
Mayor Tory strongly supports these unprecedented measures to save lives, protect health and give residents their lives back at the earliest possible date. The Mayor urged all residents to follow the guidance of public health officials to reduce substantial loss of life in Toronto, to protect the healthcare system, and to minimize the significant social and economic disruptions that will occur if new measures are not taken, noting these new measures will require tremendous sacrifice by the people of Toronto.
The City is asking residents to adhere to these orders and strong recommendations in the interest of public health and safety. While informing and educating the public in understanding why these measures are important, additional orders could be issued by the Medical Officer of Health, and in some cases, fines could be issued where there is non-compliance. City bylaw enforcement officers and the Toronto Police Service will work together to enforce the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and the orders issued by the Medical Officer of Health under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
The City of Toronto is compiling a comprehensive list of resources and critical information to ensure businesses, the city’s most vulnerable, community groups and the public are kept informed during this unprecedented time. The City’s website is being updated and revamped with new information, daily. A public information campaign, in multiple languages, will help ensure a full understanding of what the public is being asked to do and, importantly, why.
The City’s Emergency Operations Centre remains fully activated at a Level 3 and will continue to respond and coordinate all activities associated with keeping Toronto safe. City staff are working in parallel on a recovery plan to ensure the City’s finances remain stable, as well as ensuring the stability of the Toronto Public Service. Later this week, the City will provide an update on its finances and workforce deployment.
By following the direction of public health officials and limiting COVID-19 exposure to essential and critical workers that keep the city functioning, we can ensure that emergency services, garbage collection, water, gas, electricity, public transportation, emergency daycare, and support for our most vulnerable can continue to function.
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
Quote:
“Our Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa has been clear that the healthcare system depends on these actions – failure to do more will result in its inability to manage. That would cost lives. The sacrifices we are asking people to make now will save lives and allow for a quicker recovery. Our public health professionals believe the additional actions being announced today – locking the city down as much as the municipal government possibly can – will save lives, flatten that curve down, and bring this wave of the pandemic to an end earlier than would otherwise have been the case.”
-Mayor John Tory
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofto.
Media Relations
media@toronto.ca
Appendix 2
Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act
ONTARIO REGULATION 82/20
ORDER UNDER SUBSECTION 7.0.2 (4) — CLOSURE OF PLACES OF NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
Note: This Order is revoked on April 13, 2020, unless it is extended. (See s. 7.0.8 of the Act and O. Reg. 106/20, Sched. 1)
Consolidation Period: From March 24, 2020 to the e-Laws currency date
No amendments
This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.
Whereas an emergency has been declared pursuant to Order in Council 518/2020 (Ontario Regulation 50/20) on March 17, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. Toronto time pursuant to section 7.0.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (the “Act”);
And Whereas the criteria set out in subsection 7.0.2 (2) of the Act have been satisfied;
And Whereas the temporary closure of places of non-essential business is necessary to help protect the health and safety of the people of Ontario in response to the declared emergency;
And Whereas the supply chain with respect to essential goods, services and resources should continue to function to the full extent possible, subject to the advice and recommendations of public health officials, including their recommendations about the importance of physical distancing;
Now Therefore, this Order is made pursuant to paragraphs 5 and 14 of subsection 7.0.2 (4) of the Act and the terms of this Order are set out in Schedules 1 and 2;
And Further, this Order applies generally throughout Ontario.
SCHEDULE 1
CLOSURE OF PLACES OF BUSINESS
Closures
(1) Beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, each person
responsible for a place of business that is not listed in Schedule 2
shall ensure that the place of business is closed.
(2) Despite subsection (1), temporary access to a closed place of
business that is not listed in Schedule 2 is authorized, unless
otherwise prohibited by any applicable law, for the purposes of,
(a) performing work at the place of business in order to
comply with any applicable law;
(b) allowing for inspections, maintenance and repairs to be
carried out at the place of business;
(c) allowing for security services to be provided at the
place of business; and
(d) attending at the place of business temporarily,
(i) to deal with other critical matters relating to the
closure of the place of business, if the critical
matters cannot be attended to remotely; or
(ii) to access materials, goods or supplies that may be
necessary for the business to be operated remotely.
(3) Nothing in this Order precludes a business that is not listed in
Schedule 2 from operating remotely, without attending at the place
of business, for the purpose of,
(a) providing goods by mail or other forms of delivery or
making goods available for pick-up; and
(b) providing services online, by telephone or other remote
means.
(4) Nothing in this Order shall be read as authorizing a place of
business to open if it has been ordered to be closed under Ontario
Regulation 51/20 or any other Order made under the Act.
(5) Nothing in this Order precludes operations or delivery of services by
the following in Ontario, regardless of whether or not they are listed
in Schedule 2:
1. Any government.
2. Any person or publicly-funded agency or organization
that delivers or supports government operations and
services, including operations and services of the health
care sector.
(6) For the purposes of this Order, “essential business” means a business listed in Schedule 2.
SCHEDULE 2
ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
Supply chains
1. Businesses that supply other essential businesses or
essential services with the support, supplies, systems or
services, including processing, packaging, distribution,
delivery and maintenance necessary to operate;
Retail and Wholesaling
2. Businesses engaged in the retail and wholesale sale of
food, pet food and supplies, and household consumer
products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and
essential operations of residences and businesses,
including grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience
stores, markets and other similar retailers;
3. Businesses that provide essential items for the health
and welfare of animals, including feed, animal food, pet
food and animal supplies including bedding;
4. Beer, wine and liquor stores and alcohol producers, and
stores that sell beer and wine through arrangements
with authorized providers; cannabis stores and cannabis
producers;
5. Gas stations, diesel, propane and heating fuel providers
including providers of motor vehicle, aircraft and
water/marine craft fuels;
6. Motor vehicle, auto-supply, auto and motor-vehicle-
repair, including bicycle repair, aircraft repair, heavy
equipment repair, watercraft/marine craft repairs, car
and truck dealerships and related facilities;
7. Hardware stores and stores that provide hardware
products necessary to the essential operations of
residences and businesses;
8. Business providing pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical
services, including pharmacies and dispensaries;
9. Businesses that supply office products and services,
including providing computer products and related
repair and maintenance services, for individuals
working from home and for essential businesses;
10. Safety supply stores (for e.g. work clothes, Personal
Protective Equipment);
Food Services and Accommodations
11. Restaurants and other food facilities that prepare and
serve food, but only for delivery or takeaway, together
with food delivery services;
12. Hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities,
including student residences;
Institutional, Residential, Commercial and Industrial Maintenance
13. Businesses that provide support and maintenance
services, including urgent repair, to maintain the safety,
security, sanitation and essential operation of
institutional, commercial industrial and residential
properties and buildings, including, property
management services, plumbers, electricians,
custodial/janitorial workers, cleaning services, , security
services, fire safety and sprinkler systems, building
systems maintenance and repair technicians and
engineers, mechanics, (e.g. HVAC, escalator and elevator
technicians), and other service providers who provide
similar services
Telecommunications and IT Infrastructure/Service Providers
14. Businesses engaged in providing or supporting
Information Technology (IT) including online services,
software products and related services, as well as the
technical facilities such as data centres and other
network facilities necessary for their operation and
delivery;
15. Businesses providing telecommunications services
(phone, internet, radio, cell phones etc) as well as
support facilities such as call centres necessary for their
operation and delivery;
Transportation
16. Taxis and other private transportation providers
providing transportation services necessary for activities
of daily living;
17. Businesses and facilities that provide transportation
services to businesses and individuals including by air,
water, road, and rail including providing logistical
support, distribution services, warehousing and storage,
including truck stops and tow operators;
18. Businesses that provide materials and services for the
operation, maintenance and safety of transportation
systems (road, transit, rail, air and marine) including
delivery of maintenance services such as clearing snow,
response to collisions, and completing needed repairs to
the transportation systems.
Manufacturing and Production
19. Businesses that extract, manufacture, process and
distribute goods, products, equipment and materials,
including businesses that manufacture inputs to other
manufacturers (e.g. primary metal/ steel, blow molding,
component manufacturers, chemicals, etc. that feed the
end-product manufacturer);
20. Businesses, facilities and services that support and
facilitate the two- way movement of essential goods
within integrated North American and Global supply
chains.
Agriculture and food production
21. Businesses that farm, harvest, process, manufacture,
produce or distribute food, including beverages, crops,
animal products and by-products, aquaculture, hunting
and fishing;
22. Businesses that support the food supply chain including
assembly yards, livestock auctions, food distribution
hubs, feed mills, farm equipment suppliers, feed
suppliers, food terminals and warehouses, animal
slaughter plants and grain elevators;
23. Business that support the safety of food including
animal and plant health and animal welfare;
24. Businesses that provide veterinary services, and that
supply veterinary and animal control medications and
related supplies and testing kits;
25. Businesses that help to ensure safe and effective waste
management including deadstock, rendering, nutrient
management, bio hazardous materials, green waste,
packaging recycling;
Construction
26. Construction projects and services associated with the
healthcare sector, including new facilities, expansions,
renovations and conversion of spaces that could be
repurposed for health care space;
27. Construction projects and services required to ensure
safe and reliable operations of critical provincial
infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy
and justice sectors beyond the day-to-day maintenance;
28. Construction work and services, including demolition
services, in the industrial, commercial, institutional and
residential sectors;
29. Construction work and services that supports health and
safety environmental rehabilitation projects
Financial activities
30. Capital markets (e.g., the TSX);
31. Banking & Activities related to Credit Intermediation;
credit unions;
32. Insurance;
33. Businesses that provide pension services and employee
benefits services;
34. Businesses that provide financial services including
payment processing, the payroll division of any
employer (as defined by the Employment Standards
Act/Occupational Health and Safety Act), any entity
whose operation is the administration of payroll, banks
and credit unions;
Resources
35. Businesses that ensure global continuity of supply of
mining materials and products (e.g. metals such as
copper, nickel and gold) and that support supply chains
in Northern Ontario including;
a. Mining operations, production and processing;
b. Mineral exploration and development;
c. Mining Supply and Services that support supply
chains in the mining industry including
maintenance of operations, health and safety.
36. Businesses that provide chemicals and gases to support
the natural resource sector analytical labs and drinking
water and wastewater sectors and other essential
businesses;
37. Businesses that ensure global continuity of supply of
forestry products (e.g. lumber, pulp, paper, wood fuel,
etc.);
38. Businesses that ensure global continuity of supply of
aggregates to support critical infrastructure repairs and
emergency response requirements (e.g. sandbags,
armour stone barriers, etc.);
39. Businesses that ensure global continuity of supply of
petroleum and petroleum by-products;
Environmental Services
40. Businesses that support environmental
management/monitoring and spill clean-up and
response, including environmental consulting firms,
professional engineers and geoscientists, septics haulers,
well drillers, pesticides applicators and exterminators,
management of industrial sewage/effluent (e.g. for
mining operations), and environmental laboratories;
Utilities and Community Services
41. Utilities, and Businesses that support the provision of
utilities and community services, including by providing
products, materials and services needed for the delivery
of utilities and community services:
a. Waste Collection, Waste/ Sewage Treatment and
Disposal, operation of landfills, and Hazardous
Waste Disposal;
b. Potable drinking water;
c. Electricity Generation, transmission, distribution
and storage;
d. Natural Gas distribution, transmission and storage,
e. Road construction and maintenance;
f. police and other law enforcement, fire and
emergency services including coroner services and
pathology ;
g. corrections and courts services;
h. other government services including licenses and
permits;
42. Businesses engaged in or supporting the operation,
maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure
(railways, dams, bridges, highways, erosion control
structures, etc.);
Communications Industries
43. Newspaper publishers;
44. Radio & Television Broadcasting;
45. Telecommunications providers;
Research
46. Businesses and organizations that maintain research
facilities and engage in research, including medical
research and other research and development activities;
47. Businesses that provide products and services that
support research activities;
Health Care and Seniors Care and Social Services
48. Organizations and providers that deliver home care
services;
49. Retirement homes;
50. Long-term Care Facilities;
51. Independent health facilities;
52. Laboratories and specimen collection centres;
53. Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers of
pharmaceutical products and medical supplies,
including medications, medical isotopes, vaccines and
antivirals; medical devices and medical supplies;
54. Manufacturers, logistics and distributors of products
and/or services that support the delivery of health care
in all locations (including but not limited to hospitals,
labs, long-term care homes, other residential health care,
physicians, nurse practitioners and midwives, and home
care services);
55. Businesses that provide products and/or services that
support the health sector or that provide health services,
including mental health and addictions and counselling
supports;
56. Businesses that sell, rent or repair
assistive/mobility/medical devices, aids and/or supplies;
57. Businesses that provide personal support services to
seniors and persons with disabilities, to assist with the
activities of daily living);
58. Health care professionals providing emergency care
including dentists optometrists and physio-therapists;
59. Not-for-profit organizations that provide critical
personal support services in home and also provide
residential services for individuals with physical
disabilities (such as the Centre for Independent Living
and March of Dimes);
60. Businesses and all other organizations that support the
provision of food, shelter, safety or protection, and/or
social services and other necessities of life to
economically disadvantaged and other vulnerable
individuals, including but not limited to food banks,
violence against women emergency shelters, homeless
shelters, community housing, supportive housing,
children’s aid societies, residential services for adults
with developmental disabilities and for children, and
custody and detention programs for young persons in
conflict with the law;
Justice Sector
61. Professional and social services that support the legal
and justice system;
Other Businesses
62. Rental and leasing services, including automobile,
commercial and light industrial machinery and
equipment rental;
63. Businesses providing mailing, shipping, courier and
delivery services, including post office boxes;
64. Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service
providers;
65. Professional services including lawyers and para-legals,
engineers, accountants, translators;
66. Businesses providing funeral, mortician, cremation,
transfer, and burial services, and any related goods and
products (such as coffins and embalming fluid);
67. Land registration services, and real estate agent services
and moving services;
68. Businesses providing security services including private
security guards; monitoring or surveillance equipment
and services;
69. Businesses providing staffing services, including
temporary help;
70. Businesses that support the safe operations of residences
and essential businesses;
71. Businesses that provide for the health and welfare of
animals, including veterinarians, farms, boarding
kennels, stables, animal shelters, zoos, aquariums,
research facilities and other service providers;
72. Child care services for essential workers, and home child
care services of less than six children;
73. Businesses providing cheque cashing services;
Business Regulators and Inspectors
74. Organizations, including Administrative Authorities, that
regulate and inspect businesses.
Appendix 3
ONTARIO REGULATION made under the EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL PROTECTION ACT Amending 0. Reg. 52/20 (EMERGENCY ORDER UNDER SUBSECTION 7.0.2 (4) OF THE ACT)
- The title of Ontario Regulation 52/20 is revoked and the following substituted:
ORDER UNDER SUBSECTION 7.0.2 (4) OF THE ACT- ORGANIZED PUBLIC EVENTS, CERTAIN GATHERINGS - The third and fourth paragraphs of the Regulation are revoked and the following substituted: Now Therefore, this Order is made pursuant to paragraph 14 of subsection 7.0.2 (4) of the Act, the terms of which are set out in Schedule 1; And Further, this Order applies generally throughout Ontario.
- The Regulation is amended by adding the following Schedule: SCHEDULE 1 ORGANIZED PUBLIC EVENTS, CERTAIN GATHERINGS
Prohibition 1.(1) Subject to subsection (3), no person shall attend, (a)an organized public event of more than five people, including a parade; (b)a social gathering of more than five people; or 2 (c)a gathering of more than five people for the purposes of conducting religious services, rites or ceremonies.
(2) For greater certainty, subsection (1) applies to an event or gathering even if it is held at a private dwelling. (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the following:
- A gathering of members of a single household.
- A gathering for the purposes of a funeral service that is attended by not more than 10persons.
