Athletic fields, ball diamonds, and other outdoor recreational amenities in Ontario, including the Peterborough region, are again open for public use — but don’t be getting your friends together for a pick-up game.

During her weekly media briefing held Wednesday (May 20), Peterborough medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra said that while the Ontario government has lifted that restriction, a ban on gatherings of more than five people remains very much in place.

“The benefit is that the space is available for use, but the purpose is still restricted,” Dr. Salvaterra explained. “As physical distancing gets lifted and larger groups are able to gather, there may be other uses of that space that can be allowed.”

“The big change is having that space made available for things like walking or running — things you can do as a solitary behaviour.”

Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, who also attended the briefing, added that city officials discussed this development as recently as Wednesday morning (May 20). She said the city is already receiving calls and emails from sports league organizers requesting clarification and direction.

“Soccer fields are reopen but how do you play with two metres between players?,” Therrien pointed out.

“Saying that those facilities are open is fine, but we need to maintain those barriers. The use of them doesn’t look as it has traditionally looked. It gives people more green space to walk and run around in, but without having that organized sport component.”

Referring to updated COVID-19 data for the region, Dr. Salvaterra noted the total number of positive cases for the region is now 76 — an increase of three cases since over the past week.

She said all three cases are connected to one family member who recently returned from abroad.

Of the positive cases, 69 have been resolved while five cases remain active with two COVID-19 related deaths reported. More than 6,900 people have been tested — 1,300 of them over the past week. One of every 21 residents in Peterborough Public Health’s catchment area has now been tested.

There have been no new outbreaks in the region, with an earlier outbreak at Kawartha Heights Retirement Living involving a staff member who tested positive yet to be resolved.

Gender wise, COVID-19 continues to afflict more females (54 per cent) than males (46 per cent). As for the source of COVID-19 exposure, 51.3 per cent of those who have tested positive had contact with a known case while the remainder contracted the virus via travel abroad (31.6 per cent) or community transmission — which, at 17.1 per cent, is at half the provincial rate.

Dr. Salvaterra said that, moving forward, lessons learned from the devastating Spanish flu pandemic that killed millions worldwide more than 100 years ago shouldn’t be forgotten.

“It was actually the second wave that was the most deadly,” she notes.

“No one can predict the trajectory of this COVID-19 pandemic. Until we make it to the other side, perhaps in 18 or 24 months, we need to incorporate fast and easy access to testing as part of our reflex reaction to the development of any new or worsening symptoms can signal a COVID infection.”

Also participating in Wednesday’s media briefing was Selwyn mayor and Peterborough board of health chair Andy Mitchell.

A day after retail stores in Ontario began reopening, the Ontario government is now strongly recommending that people wear face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical distancing is a challenge, such as on public transit or in a small store.

Premier Doug Ford shared the advice from Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams and other health experts during a media briefing at Queen’s Park on Wednesday (May 20), along with transportation minister Caroline Mulroney and health minister Christine Elliott.

“If you’re going out for necessities or if you are taking public transit, and you can’t keep two metres apart, we recommend that you wear a non-medical mask or a face covering,” Ford said. “As the chief medical officer has said, anything that covers your nose and mouth can help protect you and people around you.”

As the province slowly reopens the economy, Ford said the government is watching the rate of spread of COVID-19 closely, especially for any sudden surges, and may reapply restrictions if needed.

“I want to be crystal clear that I’m fully prepared to take every action necessary if we see things going in the wrong direction,” Ford said. “We won’t hesitate to roll things back if necessary. I’m hopeful we won’t go there, but we need to be ready for all possible scenarios. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we stay vigilant.”

Ford also said the restriction on social gatherings of no more than five people remains in place.

“I know that everyone is asking ‘When can I see my family? When can we see our friends? When can social gatherings begin again?’,” Ford acknowledged. “The chief medical officer has been very clear and the guidance on social gathering remains the same. We can’t have more than five people from outside your household right now.”

Ford added that the best defence is for people to stay two metres apart from one another.

“I can understand if someone wants to drop off groceries, throw a ball around with a friend, or help an older parent with chores around the house,” Ford said. “I can’t sress this enough: to stop the spread of this deadly virus, the best line of defence is staying two metres apart. So, when in doubt, keep that golden rule in mind, because the virus can only spread as far as we allow it.”

To assist the public, the Ministry of Health has released specific recommendations on how to choose, wear, and care for appropriate face coverings used in public where physical distancing is not possible, along with additional safety measures for provincial transit agencies.

For the public, the Ministry of Health is recommending the following:

• Wear your face covering safely and snugly to cover your nose and mouth, without any gaps. Ensure your face covering is made of at least two layers of tightly woven material and can be cleaned multiple times without losing its shape.
• Medical masks, such as surgical and N95 masks, should be reserved for use by health care workers, those providing direct care, first responders and individuals who are ill and must leave their home for essential reasons such as seeking medical care, picking up medication or groceries.
• Face coverings should not be placed on or used by children under the age of two, anyone who has trouble breathing, and anyone who is unable to remove it without assistance.

“If you need a face covering, it is critically important people wear one that is appropriate for the situation,” said Minister Elliott. “Those taking transit or going out who can’t physically distance should wear non-medical grade cloth masks. We need to reserve all of the medical masks to protect our front-line health care workers, first responders, and people who are ill.”

In response to a reporter’s question as to why the government is only now recommending the use of face masks, Elliott said the situation is different now that the province is reopening.

“Previously it wasn’t necessary because we were asking people to stay home, stay inside, and only go outside if absolutely necessary to get food or medicine,” Elliott explained. “The situation has changed now with the opening of the economy. More people will be outdoors and outside and there may be situations where they can’t maintain the physical distancing, which continues to be the golden rule.”

“We recognize with public transit, for example, that might not be possible. So that is why Dr. Williams is recommending that face masks be worn now — to protect other people from you. You may be asymptomatic, but perhaps carrying COVID-19 and not have any idea of it. This is for the general population’s protection as we open the economy more and more.”

For provincial transit agencies, the Ministry of Health is also recommending the following measures be put in place:

• Physical distancing of at least two metres by admitting fewer passengers and using physical markers between seats.
• The use of face coverings, particularly when physical distancing is not feasible.
• Ensuring the availability of alcohol-based hand rub upon entering and exiting the vehicle.
• Implementing engineering controls like plexiglass windows between drivers and passengers.
• Enhanced cleaning, particularly of high-touch surfaces.

Outside of public transit, the government says that workers and employers may also consider using face coverings as an additional public health measure, in addition to mandatory occupational health and safety measures.

kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.

Here’s today summary: there are 76 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 143 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 44 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.

That’s an increase of 4 cases from yesterday’s report, with 2 new cases reported in Peterborough, 1 new case in Kawartha Lakes, and 1 new case in Hastings/Prince Edward County.

There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.

Province-wide, there are 23,384 confirmed cases, an increase of 427 from yesterday, with 17,898 cases resolved, an increase of 260 from yesterday. There have been 1,919 deaths, an increase of 15 from yesterday. A total of 559,794 tests have been completed, an increase of 5,813 from yesterday, with 2,294 tests under investigation, an increase of 105 from yesterday.

This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.

We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.

Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Confirmed positive: 76 (increase of 2 from May 18)
Confirmed negative: Data currently unavailable*
Results pending: Data currently unavailable*
Deaths: 2 (no change from from May 18)
Resolved: 69 (no change from May 18)
Total tests completed: Over 6,850*
Institutional outbreaks: Kawartha Heights Retirement Living in Peterborough (no change from May 18)

*Peterborough Public Health and its partners are currently testing in long-term care homes and retirement homes. This is rapidly increasing the number of tests performed and causing a delay in the health unit’s ability to accurately report these figures. Current data will be provided as soon as possible.

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.

Confirmed positive: 166, including 143 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (increase of 1 from May 18)
Probable cases: 0 (no change from May 18)
Hospitalizations: 11 (no change from May 18)
Deaths: 32, including 28 at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon (no change from May 18)
Resolved: 139 (decrease of 1 from May 18)
Institutional outbreaks: Caressant Care Lindsay, Maplewood Nursing Home in Brighton, Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Court Long Term Care Home in Fenelon Falls, Empire Crossing Retirement Home in Port Hope (no change from May 18)

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.

Confirmed positive: 43 (increase of 1 from May 15)*
Probable cases: 182 (no change from May 15)*
Deaths: 5 (no change from May 15)*
Hospitalized: 1 (no change from May 15)*
Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (decrease of 1 from May 15)*
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change from May 15)*
Recovered: 29 (increase of 1 from May 15)*
Total tests completed: 5,870 (increase of 226 from May 15)*
Institutional outbreaks: None*

*Reports were not provided for May 16-18.

Province of Ontario

Confirmed positive: 23,384 (increase of 427 from May 18)
Hospitalized: 972 (increase of 38 from May 18)
Hospitalized and in ICU: 167 (decrease of 7 from May 18)
Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 123 (increase of 10 from May 18)
Deaths: 1,919 (increase of 15 from May 18)
Total tests completed 559,794 (increase of 5,813 from May 18)
Tests under investigation: 2,294 (increase of 105 from May 18)
Resolved: 17,898 (increase of 260 from May 18)

For more information about COVID-19 in Ontario, visit covid-19.ontario.ca.

Last Thursday (May 14), the Ontario government announced that retail stores that are not in shopping malls and have separate street-front entrances can resume operation just after midnight on Tuesday (May 19).

kawarthaNOW has recently received several questions from readers about the reopening of these retail businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. What are retailers required to do when it comes to protecting the health and safety of their customers and employees? Who do we call if we feel a business is not operating safely? Are employees required to wear face masks? Are customers required to wear face masks?

Some of these questions are not new, but have become more frequent as more and more businesses resume operation during the pandemic. Grocery stores (including big box stores that sell groceries) and drug stores have remained open throughout the pandemic, garden centres and hardware stores reopened earlier in May, golf courses and marinas reopened on the Victoria Day long weekend, and now retail businesses are also reopening.

Many of our readers have reported inconsistencies in the way businesses that have already opened are dealing with health and safety issues. For example, many grocery stores have stringent procedures in place, while some hardware and big box stores seem to be more lackadaisical in their practices.

Part of the confusion comes from how the Ontario government is using words like “restrictions” and “guidelines” when it comes to businesses reopening.

For example, in its media release announcing the reopening of retail businesses, the government states that retailers “need to restrict the number of customers per square metre — for example, one customer per 4 square metres (43 square feet) — to ensure physical distancing of 2 metres at all times”, that “only fitting rooms with doors would be used, not curtains, to facilitate disinfecting,” and that retailers “would restrict use to every second fitting room at any one time to allow for cleaning after use and ensure physical distancing”.

While these sound like legal requirements, kawarthaNOW can find no specific emergency order or public health directive that includes this wording. So it appears this is guidance only.

Indeed, the Ontario government has provided a series of guidelines and best practices for Ontario businesses that are operating during the COVID-19 outbreak. These “guidance documents” are provided for each sector, including retail, and reflect the requirement of employers to protect workers from hazards in the workplace as set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, as well as the public health directives coming from Ontario’s chief medical officer of health.

For example, for the retail sector, the health and safety guidance includes options such as:

• Provide online ordering, delivery or curbside pick-up to reduce need for customers to enter your premises.
• Provide hand sanitizer for visitors to use upon entry as well as sanitizing wipes to use on shopping carts and hand basket handles.
• Have all employees and visitors wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, before entering the workplace, after contact with others, or with surfaces others have touched.
• Control how many customers enter the workplace at one time (metering entry/exit).
• Manage traffic flow and physical distancing with such measures as floor markings and barriers.
• Limit the number of people working in one space so that they can distance themselves from each other.
• Sanitize surfaces and immediate area between each transaction if possible (for example, sanitize the counter, conveyor belt, Plexiglas barrier).
• Screen workers regularly for health issues.

See the full list at Workplace Safety & Prevention Services – Guidance on Health and Safety for Retail Sector during COVID-19.

For the retail sector, there are also guidance documents available for cashiers, garden centres, retail general labour employees, and sales and customer service representatives.

However, all of these are guidelines rather than requirements for employers — meaning they are optional — as long as employers can keep their workers safe. Under Ontario law, employers have the duty to keep workers and work sites safe and free of hazards, and workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. If employees cannot resolve health and safety concerns internally, they can file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008.

For customers who are concerned about the health and safety conditions at a business, your only recourse is to report concerns to your local public health unit. While local police services are enforcing the Ontario government’s emergency orders (such as the current prohibition on restaurants offering sit-down service), they have no legal authority to enforce health and safety guidelines at businesses.

As for whether customers and employees of a business must wear a face mask, there is also currently no requirement for this.

While businesses can supply personal protective equipment for employees, such as gloves or goggles or face shields, this is considered a last resort if other guidelines are not sufficient. It’s up to the business depending on their unique situation.

If you’re a customer of a business, wearing a non-medical face mask (such as a cloth mask or bandana) is also optional. Public health officials point out that a non-medical face mask will not protect you from getting COVID-19, but may reduce the risk of transmission of the virus if you are unknowingly infected (of course, if you know you have the virus, you shouldn’t be out shopping in the first place).

However, face masks are only effective at reducing the spread of the virus if they are used properly. That means washing your hands immediately before putting a face mask on and immediately after taking it off and ensuring the mask fits snugly over both your mouth and nose.

Avoid touching your mask while you are wearing it, such as by moving it around or adjusting it often. Keep the mask on at all times — do not remove it to speak, as that defeats the purpose. If you wear glasses, there are various techniques you can try to prevent fogging while wearing your mask.

According to both the Canadian government and the Ontario government, medical-grade face coverings (such as N95 masks) should be reserved for use by health care workers, first responders, and others providing direct care to COVID-19 patients.

This story has been updated to include a note that the Ontario government is now sstrongly recommending that people wear non-medical face coverings when physical distancing is a challenge, such as on public transit and in small stores.

Ontario’s publicly funded schools and private schools will not be reopening again this school year.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement during a media briefing at Queen’s Park on Tuesday (May 19) along with education minister Stephen Lecce and health minister Christine Elliott.

“The safety of our children is my top priority, and one thing I will never do is take unnecessary risk when it comes to our children,” Ford said.

“That’s why, after careful consideration, after consulting with the health experts, it is clear that we cannot open schools at this time. I’m just not going to risk it.”

This decision was made after consulting with Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, health experts on the province’s COVID-19 command table, and medical experts at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Ford added that education would continue outside of the classroom with at-home learning. All students, from grades K to 12, will receive their report cards, and all students who were on track to graduate from secondary school before the initial school closure order was made in March will be able to graduate.

Ford said that child care centres would “begin to open safely” once stage two of the province’s reopening framework is implemented. Emergency child care will continue to operate and provide support for health care and other front-line workers.

Ford also announced that overnight summer camps will remain closed.

“Unfortunately, we just can’t have camps with 500 kids living together right now,” he said.

However, Ford said that — as long as the COVID-19 numbers continue to improve — both indoor and outdoor summer day camps would be allowed to open in July and August, with strict public health measures in place.

“We hope this gives kids and parents something to look forward to this summer,” Ford said. “I know it’s hard at home right now. I know some parents are juggling work and supporting at-home learning.”

The province also unveiled an expanded seven-point summer learning plan so students can continue their learning through the summer months.

Minister Lecce said the government is working on a plan to reopen schools in September, to be released by the end of June.

“As we look forward to September, I want parents to know that we will be introducing new protocols, new standards, to ensure students can return to class safely,” Lecce said. “We will announce that plan for September’s reopening before the end of this school year, following continued guidance by the chief medical officer of health.”

Lecce added that, when schools reopen in September, they “will not look the same.”

“We have to re-imagine education in some respects in September, given that there will have to be some protocol changes — distancing, even with respect to movement of children going outside — all these types of considerations are being made as we speak,” Lecce said.

“We will unveil the full plan for reopening schools safely by the end of this school year, meaning before the end of June.”

This story has been updated with additional details from an Ontario government media release.

The Ontario government announced on Tuesday (May 19) that it is extending all existing emergency orders until Friday, May 29th, but is also loosening some restrictions as part of its first stage of reopening the province.

The orders, which were due to expire on May 19, include the closure of bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery only, restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people, and staff redeployment rules for long-term care homes and congregate settings like retirement homes and women’s shelters.

However, the government is amending an emergency order to allow some outdoor recreational amenities to open, including outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields (including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and frisbee golf locations, tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, BMX parks, and skate parks), off-leash dog areas, and outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters in park and recreational areas.

Outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, fitness equipment, public swimming pools, splash pads, and similar outdoor water facilities will remain closed until later stages of the province’s reopening plan.

The government has also approved an exemption to the emergency order related to gatherings of people to allow drive-in religious gatherings, under certain conditions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Vehicles must be kept two metres or more apart, only members of the same household can be in one vehicle, people will not be able to leave their vehicles, and no more than five people can conduct the service at one time from outside a motor vehicle and they must stay at least two metres apart.

“Although we are entering the first stage of our framework to reopen the economy, it’s critical that we continue to do so in a safe and responsible manner,” Premier Doug Ford states in a media release. “The people of Ontario have been doing a fantastic job to help flatten the curve and stop the spread of this terrible virus. With warmer weather beginning, individuals and families will now be able to enjoy many outdoor amenities, but everyone must continue to maintain physical distancing from those outside of their household.”

Health minister Christine Elliott says “reopening parks and other outdoor spaces is important for our physical and mental health” but is encouraging people to be responsible by keeping a safe distance of at least two metres from members outside of their household.

The government says it has extended the emergency orders until May 29th in consultation with Ontario’s chief medical officer of health. The orders are made under the province’s declaration of a state of emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The state of emergency was first declared on March 27th and was extended until June 2nd on May 12th.

Here is the list of all current emergency orders:

• Closure of Establishments
• Prohibiting Organized Public Events, Certain Gatherings
• Work Deployment Measures for Health Care Workers
• Drinking Water Systems and Sewage Works
• Electronic Service
• Work Deployment Measures in Long-Term Care Homes
• Electricity Price for RPP Consumers
• Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses
• Traffic Management
• Streamlining Requirements for Long-Term Care Homes
• Prohibition on Certain Persons Charging Unconscionable Prices for Sales of Necessary Goods
• Closure of Outdoor Recreational Amenities
• Enforcement of Orders
• Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health
• Work Deployment Measures in Retirement Homes
• Access to COVID-19 Status Information by Specified Persons
• Service Agencies Providing Services and Supports to Adults with Developmental Disabilities
• Pickup and Delivery of Cannabis
• Signatures in Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Use of Force and Firearms in Policing Services
• Child Care Fees
• Agreements Between Health Service Providers and Retirement Homes
• Temporary Health or Residential Facilities
• Closure of Public Lands for Recreational Camping
• Work Deployment Measures for Service Agencies Providing Violence Against Women Residential Services and Crisis Line Services
• Limiting Work to a Single Long-Term Care Home
• Work Deployment Measures for District Social Services Administration Boards
• Deployment of Employees of Service Provider Organizations
• Work Deployment Measures for Municipalities
• Limiting Work to a Single Retirement Home
• Work Deployment Measures for Mental Health and Addictions Agencies
• Congregate Care Settings
• Access to Personal Health Information by Means of the Electronic Health Record
• Global Adjustment for Market Participants and Consumers
• Certain Persons Enabled to Issue Medical Certificates of Death
• Hospital Credentialing Processes
• Education Sector
• Management of Long-term Care Homes in Outbreak