Toronto wants residents to participate in a global campaign to ring bells on Christmas Eve.
The worldwide Christmas Eve Jingle happens at 6 pm, when people are encouraged to go out on their balconies, driveways, sidewalks and porches and ring bells for two minutes in a show of support for workers on the frontlines of COVID-19.
Noise-making for frontline workers became a nightly tradition during the first wave of the pandemic in the spring.
However, such signs of encouragement have waned as significantly fewer people are staying home during the second wave than did during the first.
? Show your #Christmas spirit and thank frontline workers!
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) December 23, 2020
Join the worldwide Christmas Eve Jingle and ring a bell (or bang on pots and pans) on your porch or balcony at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
More information about the #COVID19 Holiday Guide: https://t.co/nyorlg9Tug pic.twitter.com/xZWiuil1BY
“This is a tribute that is part of a worldwide Christmas Eve jingle in honour of frontline workers of all kinds,” Mayor John Tory said during a city hall press briefing. “So please think about doing that and make sure Toronto sends that message loud and clear, not just to our own community but also around the world in thanks to frontline workers.”
The idea for the campaign originates in North Yorkshire, England. A Facebook group devoted to ringing bells on Christmas Eve now has 460,000 members from around the world, the city said in a statement.
Councillor Paula Fletcher passed a motion to officially ask the city to participate in the bell ringing during a December 16 council meeting that was seconded by Councillor Brad Bradford. The motion was ultimately approved.
The mayor also asked people to support frontline workers by staying home and only celebrating Christmas with the people they live with. Government officials have said the exception to the rule is people who live alone, who can celebrate with one other household.
Tory has also asked people to tell those they know who are not following the public health advice to rethink plans to gather or attend parties.
“To those who have not been following public health advice, please think for a moment about the so far – I hate to say this – but so far the 1,801 Torontonians we have lost this year, who have lost their lives due to COVID-19. Think about their Christmas or the Christmas of their families without their loved ones.”
On Wednesday, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Eileen de Villa said the city’s data showed an increase of 628 new cases in the past 24 hours. There are 321 people in hospital and 85 people in intensive care. Of those patients in intensive care, 52 are on ventilators.
Another 17 Torontonians have died in the past 24 hours.
