Wednesday, April 1, 2026
ADVT 
Interesting

Tom Hanks used as physical distance marker

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Jul, 2020 10:09 PM
  • Tom Hanks used as physical distance marker

It could be "A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood" if you come across a life-sized decal of Tom Hanks in downtown Toronto.

Images of the Oscar-winning actor have been laid on the ground outside of two government-run liquor stores in the city's downtown, using his six-foot frame to help customers maintain their physical distance in line.

The decals show a bespectacled Hanks in a suit above the caption "'Hanks for keeping your distance."

The non-profit initiative was developed by Public Inc., a Toronto-based marketing agency, with the aim of injecting some fun into physical distancing.

"We were a bit concerned that people were going to let down their guard, that they weren't going to be as vigilant about mask-wearing and physically distancing," said Phillip Haid, the co-founder and CEO of Public Inc., on Friday. "That's what led us to ask, 'What would it take to remind people?'"

Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March, and both have since recovered from the illness.

"The idea was born with Tom Hanks because he was the first celebrity to get COVID-19 with his wife — and he happens to be six-feet tall," said Haid.

Haid also pointed out that Hanks has been outspoken in telling people to wear masks to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus since recovering from the disease.

Although the decals are only outside two LCBO locations so far, the campaign will expand to more locations of the provincial government's liquor store chain and to some coffee shops, Haid said. He said the company came up with the project for "the public good."

Haid added that it won't just be in Toronto but at some point may be expanded to New York City, where his company has another office.

It's not clear whether Hanks himself is aware of the campaign.

Public Inc., purchased the rights to the photo, Haid said, and he hopes it will catch the actor's attention.

A message left with Hanks's publicist by The Canadian Press on Friday was not immediately returned.

MORE Interesting ARTICLES

B.C. Wildfire Situation 'Still Deteriorating,' Official Says

B.C. Wildfire Situation 'Still Deteriorating,' Official Says
More than 200 fires burned across the province yesterday, but Bob Turner of Emergency Management BC says the situation is still deteriorating.

B.C. Wildfire Situation 'Still Deteriorating,' Official Says

Watch: Donald Trump Helps Pick Up Marine's Hat Blown Away By The Wind

Watch: Donald Trump Helps Pick Up Marine's Hat Blown Away By The Wind
US President Donald Trump stopped twice to pick up a US Marine's hat that was blown away by the wind.

Watch: Donald Trump Helps Pick Up Marine's Hat Blown Away By The Wind

WATCH: This Police Officer Scared Of Picking Up A Turtle Is Hilarious!

WATCH: This Police Officer Scared Of Picking Up A Turtle Is Hilarious!
As this video proves, a stray turtle can even unnerve a police officer, thus, making for hilarious viewing.

WATCH: This Police Officer Scared Of Picking Up A Turtle Is Hilarious!

Watch: This Pakistani Man's Reply To An English Woman's Racial Slurs Is Going Viral

Watch: This Pakistani Man's Reply To An English Woman's Racial Slurs Is Going Viral
Throughout the video, uploaded on the Facebook page Karachi Walay, the woman sitting on a subway beside the man apparently from Pakistan is seen visibly agitated by him. The small clip of about one minute shows the woman abusing him.

Watch: This Pakistani Man's Reply To An English Woman's Racial Slurs Is Going Viral

PM Justin Trudeau's 'Tennis Volley' With Narendra Modi Is Winning Hearts On Internet

PM Justin Trudeau's 'Tennis Volley' With Narendra Modi Is Winning Hearts On Internet
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to celebrate the victory of Indo-Canadian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Gabriela Dabrowski, who won the mix doubles title at the French Open 2017, last month. 

PM Justin Trudeau's 'Tennis Volley' With Narendra Modi Is Winning Hearts On Internet

Pakistani Woman With Cancer Asks Sushma Swaraj For Help After Medical Visa Gets Rejected

Pakistani Woman With Cancer Asks Sushma Swaraj For Help After Medical Visa Gets Rejected
Faiza Tanveer suffers from a recurrent ameloblastoma, a cancerous oral tumour which is aggressive in nature. She had been invited by a hospital in Ghaziabad for treatment, and had already paid Rs10 lakh in advance. But the Indian High Commission rejected her medical visa application.

Pakistani Woman With Cancer Asks Sushma Swaraj For Help After Medical Visa Gets Rejected