Government
COVID-19 has thrown governments for a loop as they manage fast-paced changes. With social distancing compliance a top priority for preventing the virus spread, Toronto has introduced CurbTO, a measure to provide more room for pedestrians as they move through the city, or line up to shop for essential services.
The new initiative will block off curb lanes in Toronto’s downtown hot spots and pinch points. Drivers, watch out for lane changes and drive accordingly, as the city is projected to roll out a total of 100 of these modifications.
Ontario is still under a provincial state of emergency, and to ensure essential goods are still delivered, truckers have relaxed restrictions on delivery hours. This means you may see or hear deliveries at off-hours, all in the name of getting the goods to the people that need them.
Have a driver’s licence or plates that need renewal? In the interest of staying home, the provincial government is offering an extension on renewals. Opt to check out Service Ontario online, rather than visiting in person (unless absolutely necessary). If you have a driving test on the calendar, note that all testing centre locations are closed until further notice. Current licences will not expire, and missed test fees won’t apply. You’ll still have to prep for test day, though — the province plans to restart services as the COVID-19 situation improves.
Live outside of Ontario? Check with your local government to see what service adjustments are available.
Newsworthy
We are all untangling what COVID-19 means for the world, and our transportation insider took a deep look at what it means for transportation. With people working from home, and congestion becoming a distant memory, the way we move is completely different. We cover the positives and the negatives, while also looking at what the future could look like. Spoiler alert: we’re still waiting for the dust to settle, but there are some interesting post-pandemic opportunities.
