Yesterday the Ontario Government announced it has extended the Declaration of Emergency and all its emergency measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19.  These emergency measures include the mandatory closure of non-essential workplaces, which we reported in a previous blog post here. 

In addition, the Ontario Government has issued a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as sports fields and playgrounds, effective immediately. 

This new emergency order will close all communal or shared, public or private, outdoor recreational amenities across Ontario.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• playgrounds;
• sports fields;
• basketball and tennis courts;
• off-leash dog parks;
• beaches;
• skateboard and BMX parks;
• picnic areas;
• outdoor community gardens;
• park shelters;
• outdoor exercise equipment;
• condominium parks and gardens; and,
• other outdoor recreational amenities.

Green spaces in parks, trails, ravines, and conservation areas that have not otherwise closed remain open for walkthrough access.  However, individuals must maintain a safe physical distance of at least two meters apart from one another.  Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves remain closed. 

A reminder of what emergency orders remain in effect can be found in the Ontario Government’s news release here. 

Our firm will continue to provide you with updates as the Ontario Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.