Outdoor amenities closed in response to new Provincial COVID-19 regulations
Back to SearchAs the Province institutes further restrictions in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases the City will close outdoor amenities such as playgrounds and sports fields.
Risk of COVID-19 transmission in the community continues to climb, posing risks to individual health and the capacity of the health care system to respond. On April 16, 2021 alone, 154 new cases of the virus were confirmed in Niagara, bringing the total active case count to 1,405 – a record high for the region. From a provincial perspective, Ontario set a record today for single-day COVID-19 case increases with 4,812 new confirmed cases.
While all indoor City facilities remain closed as part of previous COVID-19 response efforts, outdoor amenities will be closed effective immediately. These amenities include:
- Boat launches
- Beaches
- Sports fields and courts
- Garden City Golf Course
- Morningstar Mill
- Skate parks
City parks and trails remain open for passive use only, allowing for walkthrough access. Individuals can travel through parks on foot or bicycle; however any gatherings, sports or loitering will be prohibited. Individuals using playgrounds should remember not to gather and maintain two metres of physical seperation with those from outside thier household. Under Provincial orders outdoor gatherings are restricted to household members only. Individuals living alone may choose to bubble with one other household exclusively.
For more information on the impacts of COVID-19 to City amenities and services please visit stcatharines.ca/COVID19. The City continues to work with Provincial partners to comply with regulations, as this continues some impacts are subject to change.
“These difficult but necessary measures are what we need to do right now to protect ourselves and our community from COVID-19. It’s also what we need to do to help close the gap on vaccination and help us get closer to beating this virus,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik, adding, “now more than ever we need to be unified and support one another by staying home and only leaving for essential trips.”
Residents should only leave their house for essential purposes such as accessing food and pharmacies; exercise; medical appointments; vaccine appointments; and essential work that cannot be done remotely.
Residents can help slow the spread of COVID-19 by:
- Staying home if sick
- Getting tested if displaying symptoms
- Frequently cleaning hands
- Getting the vaccine when available
- Covering coughs or sneezes
- Wearing a mask in public
- Practicing physical distancing of two metres
- Avoiding sharing of personal items
- Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces
For more information on COVID-19-related Public Health measures, vaccinations, business resources, and other resources visit niagararegion.ca/COVID19.
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