Ontario has ordered the closure of all outdoor recreational spaces during COVID-19
- Michael Kras
- 31 Mar 2020
The province is cracking down even harder on public space access during the ongoing escalation of the COVID-19 outbreak, as the Ontario government has issued an emergency order to close all public and private outdoor recreational amenities.
Announced on Monday March 30th and effective immediately, this massive emergency order prohibits access to outdoor spaces including playgrounds, beaches, dog parks, outdoor sporting spaces like basketball and tennis courts, condo parks and gardens, and other similar recreational facilities.
#BREAKING: The Ford government is ordering the closure of all communal or shared, public or private, outdoor recreational amenities everywhere in Ontario, effective immediately.
— CP24 (@CP24) March 31, 2020
The order, issued under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, was made based on the recommendation of Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and will be in effect until further notice.
Thankfully, some public outdoor spaces remain accessible under this order. Green space available in parks, trails, and in portions of conservation areas that aren’t closed will still be accessible to the public, provided that people continue to maintain a distance of at least two metres between each other.
However, with plenty of streets and public spaces continually packed with people, especially as the weather gets nicer, Premier Doug Ford has said he is ready to take further action if necessary.
“We need every person in this province to take a hard look at their habits because as I have always said, every option is on the table and we are prepared to take further action of we do not see the spread of this virus slow down in the coming days,” said Ford.
As always, Ontarians are strongly encouraged to stay home unless absolutely necessary, only going out into the public for essential needs.
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