Distillery District imposes mask rule outside effective immediately

As of Thursday, visitors of the Distillery District will be required to wear masks when they’re taking a stroll outside.

The requirement does not apply to people seated at a table to eat or drink, the shopping district announced in a press release Thursday.

“We did this now primarily because the counts are going up significantly in Toronto,” Distillery Historic District general manager Elena Price told the Star in an interview.

Price said the district’s goal in extending the mask-wearing mandate to those walking outside on its brick-paved streets is to reduce COVID-19 cases while supporting local retailers.

“We’re trying to stay ahead of any directions or lockdowns,” Price said. “Hopefully, if we do this, other people will follow suit and put the same requirements on their own sites that happen to be outside.

“We’ve done a lot of initiatives to support the local retailers that are at the Distillery all year-round and this is a very important time for them.”

The pedestrian-only Winter Village, hosted from Nov. 12 until March 31, has starlit canopies, a Christmas tree already lit and festive music.

Complimentary masks will be available upon request at the security booth, public relations representative Laurie Weir said in an email to the Star. However, there is no enforcement planned for the mask rule, Price said.

“We are in our education stage, and all efforts will be made to communicate to patrons the importance of wearing a mask indoors and outdoors,” Price said. “We are hoping people will respect our policy and help us keep our community safe.”

Throughout the district, there are signs reminding visitors to wear a mask, physically distance, wash their hands and follow public health protocols, according to the release.

Ontario reported 1,210 cases of COVID-19 and 28 deaths Thursday. Locally, there are 361 new cases in Peel, 346 in Toronto and 143 in York Region.

With files from Rob Ferguson

Manuela Vega is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: