With a stay-at-home order in effect, getting your heart rate up in the great outdoors is still allowed.
The new order in Ontario went into effect today (Jan. 14) and will be in place for at least 28 days (Feb. 10). The goal is to reduce the number of people you have contact with outside your immediate household to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
The emergency order requires people to stay at home except to go to the grocery store or pharmacy, access health care services, exercise or work.
While gyms and indoor recreation are shuttered, people are permitted to go out to walk their dogs or enjoy local trails.
In the Collingwood area, here's what you need to know for some of the popular recreation options:
Outdoor rinks
- The Central Park outdoor rink owned and operated by the Town of Collingwood is available by online reservation only. Those wishing to skate must sign up online up to 48 hours before their pre-booked session. People using outdoor rinks or parks have to keep at least two metres from other people that they don't live with. Games where people may come within two metres of each other are not allowed.
Snowmobile trails
- Snowmobiling is permitted, according to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). "So, snowmobilers with valid trail permits are permitted to access any available (green) or limited availability (yellow) trails at this time, but only within the context of the provisions of the Stay At Home Order that allows local recreational exercise from your primary residence," reads the OFSC update. Collingwood area trails are, for the most part, not open yet. There are a couple of limited availability trails on the mountain and toward Markdale. The OFSC trail map shows all of the trails as unavailable (red).
Going for a walk
- Exercising is a permitted outdoor recreation. Collingwood trails are still open. Most Grey Sauble Conservation Authority properties are open, you can click here for a current list of closures (seasonal or COVID-related). Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority properties are also open. Most of the Bruce Trail is open for foot traffic.
Other important things to know
- Outdoor gatherings are now limited to five people.
- People are required to wear a face-covering or mask in indoor public spaces. Masks are also recommended for outdoor activities when physical distancing cannot be met.
- The stay-at-home order requires every person in a business or facility that is open to the public to maintain a two-metre distance from any person other than their caregiver or someone from their household.
Enforcement
- Police officers, bylaw officers, and provincial workplace inspectors can issue tickets to people not complying with the stay-at-home order or not wearing a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces, and businesses not enforcing requirements under the order.
- Ontario Provincial Police will be continuing to enforce the emergency orders and are encouraging the public to follow the directions of their local health unit. The OPP said more information on enforcement will be released when it is available.
- For all non-emergency police matters, including allegations of non-compliance, contact your municipal by-law office or call the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122.
Read the full provincial stay-at-home order here. More details on what permitted is available here.
