Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park to bring back social distancing circles

The circles will be painted onto the grass next week if the weather permits.

Circles were originally painted in the spring of 2020 after images emerged of park attendees crowding without masks or distancing from each other, prompting Premier Doug Ford to describe the visitors as "reckless."

A year later, as Ontarians find themselves facing more restrictions than ever, authorities believe that such circles will once again be necessary to control crowds and prevent socialization.

According to reports, an individual circle costs $12 to paint.

Under current orders in Ontario, members of the same household are instructed to only gather with each other, and to avoid contact with people of other households. Ontario residents are also instructed to remain at home except for "essential" purposes such as exercising, so the drawing of circles appears to be preemptive of a relaxation of restrictions.

"While there is currently a province-wide Stay-at-Home order in effect, the City recognizes that many residents living in apartment buildings and condominiums who do not have yards need spaces to get exercise and fresh air in City parks," the City of Toronto said in a press release.

It is unclear how residents are expected to get exercise inside small circles.

In 2020, individual circles were large enough to fit two people lying down or three people sitting upright.