The City of Orillia is urging you to help keep things safe this long weekend.
Specifically, they want everyone to continue to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while adhering to all of the emergency measures that are still in place.
“As we approach the May long weekend and some restrictions begin to ease, we must maintain perspective and recognize that this is not your typical holiday weekend,” says Mayor Steve Clarke. “Patience and compliance is still required as we continue to work together to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 virus. This weekend is typically the unofficial start of summer. Let’s not undo all of our hard work and jeopardize the rest of summer with increased transmission of the virus.”
City parks and trails remain open to the public for walk-through purposes, but park amenities are still closed in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These include: playgrounds, benches, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, frisbee golf locations, beaches, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, park shelters and outdoor exercise equipment.
Residents are also reminded that garage/yard sales remain prohibited.
The Province of Ontario announced yesterday that effective Saturday, May 16th, the following will be permitted:
- Golf courses will be able to open, with clubhouses open only for washrooms and restaurants open only for take-out.
- Marinas, boat clubs and public boat launches may open for recreational use.
- Private parks and campgrounds may open to enable preparation for the season and to allow access for trailers and recreational vehicles whose owners have a full season contract.
- Businesses that board animals, such as stables, may allow boarders to visit, care for or ride their animal.
In light of the Province’s announcement, the City is opening the Couchiching Beach boat launch and the Collins Drive boat launch effective Saturday, May 16th to allow residents to access the water for boating.
Users must practice physical distancing of at least two metres (six feet) and only boat with members of their immediate household.
The Port of Orillia remains closed until at least May 31st.
“After much consultation and with a green light from the Province, we are happy to open the boat launches for our residents to enjoy public access to the water in time for the long weekend,” said Mayor Clarke. “We continue to ask that people stay in their home municipality instead of visiting Orillia at this time. Orillia is a great place to visit, but not during the COVID-19 pandemic. When it is safe to do so, we look forward to welcoming visitors once again to the Sunshine City.”