Reports of groups gathering close together in parks frustrating, mayor says; 'If we continue to see non-compliance, we’ll have to shut the parks down'

If you want to be able to continue accessing Orillia’s parks, follow social distancing guidelines.

That’s the message from Mayor Steve Clarke.

A few days ago, there were “a few groups observed walking together” at Couchiching Beach Park and not keeping their distance, he said.

“Maybe they thought, because they were outside, it wasn’t an issue.”

It is an issue, the mayor stressed.

“If we continue to see non-compliance, we’ll have to shut the parks down, which is a shame because, at a time like this, we need those spaces. We still encourage everyone to stay home,” he said. “If you are going to be out, do so safely. Make sure you’re distancing. If everybody does that, we’re OK. We can flatten the curve.”

City staff have been monitoring the parks, he added.

With more than 300,000 Ontarians returning from the United States, “the coming days are absolutely critical to what kind of effect this virus is going to have on our community,” Clarke said.

Many of those who have already returned have been responsible in terms of self-isolating, he said, “but some came back with a cavalier attitude about it because of the cavalier attitude shown in some areas of the States.”

Clarke encouraged those who see people not following social distancing and self-isolation guidelines to use the OPP online self-reporting tool.