In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep people home, the Ontario government has issued a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as sports fields and playgrounds, effective immediately.

The government is also extending the state of emergency until Monday, April 13th from the original date of Tuesday, March 31st.

This includes the closure of all non-essential workplaces, the restriction on events and gatherings of more than five people, the new fines under the Provincial Offences Act, anti-price gouging provisions, and more.

The new order would close all communal or shared, public or private, outdoor recreational amenities everywhere in Ontario, including but not limited to playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, beaches, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, outdoor community gardens, park shelters, outdoor exercise equipment, condo parks and gardens, and other outdoor recreational amenities.

Green spaces in parks, trails, ravines and conservation areas that aren’t otherwise closed would remain open for walkthrough access, but people must maintain the safe physical distance of at least two metres apart from others.

Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves remain closed.

“I made a commitment to be open and upfront about what we need to do as a province to beat this virus,” Premier Doug Ford says. “Based on the best medical advice available, we are taking further steps today to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians by closing outdoor recreational amenities, like sports fields and playgrounds, and extending our emergency orders to save lives. We all need to work together and do our part to stop COVID-19 by staying home, practising physical distancing, and avoiding social gatherings.”

The new closures are based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

“We are acting on the best advice of our Chief Medical Officer of Health and other leading public health officials across the province,” says Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “We will continue to take decisive action to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect Ontarians’ health and well-being.”

Many municipalities have already taken similar action. The City of Peterborough has already closed all municipal playgrounds and outdoor gym equipment, and the City of Kawarthas Lakes has already closed all playgrounds, sports fields, sports courts, skateboard parks, picnic areas, outdoor exercise equipment, and washroom facilities.

“The health and well-being of Ontarians is a top priority of our government as we navigate through the COVID-19 health crisis,” says Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “I know our municipal partners are already taking action locally to protect their residents. This order makes the rules around closing shared outdoor recreational amenities consistent across the province.”