Those who need to venture out from social isolation to run some errands or go to the hospital no longer have to worry about paying for parking.

The City of Kingston said on Thursday that it will waive the need to pay for parking across the city, while Queen’s University announced it will no longer require medical staff to pay to use its parking lots near Kingston General Hospital.

The municipality is no longer expecting people to pay to park on the street and in city-owned parking lots and garages. Gates at these facilities will now be open

“We recognize that daily travel patterns for many in our community have changed, and we want to ensure that parking remains available and accessible to those who require it. These parking changes are being implemented to support essential travel needs as recommended by KFL&A Public Health during this time,” the city said in a statement.

“Parking demand is expected to remain high in areas that surround hospitals, particularly for accessible parking spaces and short-term parking zones. We ask that residents keep in mind the needs of others when selecting a parking location and, where possible, park in areas that have lower demand.”

For its part, Queen’s University will be offering free parking in its two largest lots near the hospital, specifically for medical staff working there.

“Parking will now be available at the Tindall (Field) Parking Lot, located at Albert and Union streets, and the former site of St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital, on Union Street, without permits from March 18 through April 5, 2020,” the university said in a statement.

These moves come after pressure from medical staff at the hospital who have complained about front-line staff and patients being ticketed for parking near the hospital and being asked to pay full price for parking by the university during a crisis.

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