As Ontario sets the stage for an eventual reopening, some outdoor areas are reopening this weekend.
Yesterday, the province revealed its three-phase roadmap for reopening Ontario that is based on provincial vaccination rates and key public health indicators. Instead of returning to the colour-coded provincial framework when current restrictions lift, the roadmap is the new reopening guide.
While the provincial stay-at-home order remains in place until June 2, this Saturday, May 22 some outdoor recreation amenities can reopen.
Saturday, gathering limits are also expanding to five people, including members of different households, for an outdoor organized public event or social gathering.
The outdoor recreational amenities that are allowed to open are:
- Parks and recreational areas
- Baseball diamonds
- Batting cages
- Soccer, football and sports fields
- Tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts
- Basketball courts
- BMX parks
- Skate parks
- Golf courses and driving ranges
- Frisbee golf locations
- Cycling tracks and bike trails
- Horse riding facilities
- Shooting ranges, including those operated by rod and gun clubs
- Playgrounds
- Portions of parks or recreational areas with outdoor fitness equipment
- Archery ranges
- Boat and watercraft launches
- Lawn game courts, including lawn bowling, bocce and croquet courts
Public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 are still in play.
The outdoor areas are only allowed to open if:
- People stay at least two metres from any other person they don't live with.
- Team sports are not practised or played.
- Other sports or games that are likely to result with people being closer than two metres apart are not practised or played.
- Locker rooms, change rooms, showers, clubhouses, restaurants, pools, meeting rooms, fitness centres or other recreational facilities on the premises remain closed, unless it's for access to equipment storage, a washroom or a section of the amenity that's used for first aid.
- For boating, if there is a group of people on board, they must be members of the same household or one other person from outside who lives alone or a caregiver for a member of the household.
The provincial stay-at-home order put in place April 8 remains in effect until at least June 2.
That means there is still a ban on camping on Crown land and overnight camping at Ontario Parks. Some Ontario Parks are open for day use.
For seasonal campgrounds, campsites must be made available for trailers and recreational vehicles that are for people in need or housing or who are permitted to be there by the terms of a full-season contract. Only campsites with electricity, water and sewage disposal facilities may be open.
For cottages and second residences, it's permitted if the person intends to be there for less than 24 hours or intends to live there for at least 14 days.
Ontario's new three-phased plan is expected to start June 14 with each phase lasting at least 21 days.
When the stay-at-home order ends June 2 the province will remain under the emergency brake restrictions.
Schools remain closed with remote learning. Outdoor dining and non-essential retail will remain closed until the new phased-in plan starts.
