It would be a stretch to suggest the COVID-19 pandemic is over. It isn’t. But there is much room for optimism: In Ontario, 80.82% of adults have gotten their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 67.75% are fully vaccinated since December 15, 2020. Of young Ontarians between the ages of 12 and 17, 64.4% have received a single dose, and 40% are fully vaccinated.
That encouraged the province to move to the third step of its summer reopening plan on July 16, meaning indoor dining, fitness clubs, and going to a cinema is allowable, albeit with capacity restrictions. Though masking and physical distance measures remain in place, things are looking up.
With outdoor public gatherings now permissible with some restrictions, we now have the option of getting outside to attend an event. In a city like Toronto, there’s no shortage of things to do and see, even with public health restrictions still in place. Here are a few family-friendly things you can do in Toronto in August that will lift your spirits:
It may have been a while since you slid into the driver’s seat to go for a cruise farther than to your local grocery store. If you’re planning on taking a road trip or driving to an event in T.O., take your time behind the wheel, and keep these driving safety tips in mind:
Something else to consider is whether your car insurance coverage is adequate if you’ll be driving more often than you have in recent months. After all, the less you drive, the cheaper your premium will cost.
For instance, did you temporarily suspend your road coverage at some point during the pandemic? If so, contact your broker or insurer and let them know you need it reinstated. Otherwise, you may be driving without insurance, which is a serious offence.
Moreover, if you find you need to commute to an office or workplace instead of working from home, it’s important to notify your provider and change your vehicle’s classification from ‘pleasure’ to ‘commute’.
Err on the side of caution and make sure your auto policy is up to date and provides you with the coverage you need. And if it strikes you that you’re paying too much for car insurance, do yourself a favour and compare policies and premiums from a broad range of insurers for free. Switching to a different carrier is less complicated than you might think, and by doing so, you might save a fair bit of money on an annual premium.