Ontario Officials Are Calling Out The Shutdown Of Outdoor Recreation Like Playgrounds

Following the announcement of Ontario's playgrounds and outdoor activities closure, officials are calling out the new rules.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases physician, tweeted that the closure "does not make sense" because the chance of transmission is low and "outdoor activities are vital for mental & physical health."

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Dr. Ian Preyra, an emergency doctor and chief of staff of Joseph Brant Hospital, said he hasn't intubated a COVID-19 patient who got infected because they were at a playground. 

NDP MPP Marit Stiles also tweeted that she hasn't heard any doctor talk about parks being a place of major transmission but has heard that workplaces and a lack of paid sick days are "major [transmitters]."

As of 12:01 a.m. on April 17, 2021, outdoor recreational spots in Ontario like golf courses, basketball courts, soccer fields and playgrounds are closed as part of the province's stricter stay-at-home order.

What outdoor recreational locations are closed?

According to a document from the Ontario government shared by Bogoch and journalist Laura Stone, parks and recreational areas are only open to allow people to walk through them.

All outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment are closed and people should not use them.

The same goes for all outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, frisbee golf locations, tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, BMX parks and skate parks.

You also can't use any part of parks and recreational areas that have outdoor fitness equipment.

All outdoor picnic sites and picnic tables in parks and recreational areas throughout the province are also not allowed to be used.