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There’s nothing wrong with having a chat on your driveway with a friend or over the fence with a neighbour, says Ottawa’s medical officer of health — as long as you keep a two-metre distance.

“Have those interactions at a distance and avoid creating a gathering. We are asking you to use your best judgment when connecting with others,” Dr. Vera Etches said Wednesday.

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Etches said she was clarifying earlier comments by associate medical officer of health Dr. Brent Moloughney, who said Tuesday that public health officials were concerned about people looking for “loopholes” on physical distancing guidelines.

Moloughney set off a firestorm about freedoms and responsibility after he suggested that two people chatting can attract other people, tipping a small group of people into a party.

“It’s really unprecedented what is being asked of all of us,” said Moloughney. “So people are finding, well, what if I just do this or what if I just do that. And the challenge is that it just starts like that and a couple of people add on, and before you know it you have a parking lot party or backyard party.”