In response to the pandemic status of the COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus), the management of ISKCON TORONTO has already put safety measures in place to reduce the risks and impact on our community and our campuses. These measures are in compliance with the recommendations from Health Canada.
The single highest priority of ISKCON TORONTO will always be the health and safety of its community.
Updated recommendations by public health officials state that ‘social distancing’ is the most effective means of protecting visitors, residents and community members from infection. The Temple management is moving forward with this recommendation.
The following measures are in effect at ISKCON TORONTO following this announcement:
1. All community programs will be discontinued temporarily until further notice namely: The Sunday Feast program, Tuesday Sangha, Evening of Bhakti, KCS, Festivals, all children’s programs and the Govinda’s Restaurant will remain closed.
2. No prasadam distribution will occur within the temple premises either within the temple hall, Govinda’s dining hall or the community spaces in the basement.
3. No accommodation will be available for overnight stay at the ashram. Non- residents should refrain from entering the ashram spaces (unless performing specific deity service).
4. The Temple will remain open for darshan during the regularly scheduled times ONLY (click HERE for schedule; please note there will be no extended darshan timings on Sunday).
5. Unauthorized kitchen access is restricted.
Deity service will continue as always and will be managed by our pujari department without any disruption. Kitchen will remain open only for Deity offerings.
Also note:
For the safety of others, if anyone in your household is feeling sick we strongly urge all members of that household to avoid visiting the Temple for at least 2 weeks until after the last patient has completely recovered.
For those who have recently returned from international travel or have come in contact with such, please refrain from coming to the Temple.
Please review the health advisory link from Health Canada and some useful information: (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html)
The Temple will provide ongoing updates on our website and via our social media feeds.
Temple security will be monitored via the multiple security cameras that were recently installed in addition to security guards during this phase.
These unprecedented measures will be disruptive. We trust, however, that all members of our community will understand that they are necessary and being implemented for the benefit of all.
Temple Council, Board & GBC