Here Is Everything You’re Still Allowed To Do During Ontario’s Shutdown

With the news of the impending provincewide shutdown in Ontario, the provincial government has provided a detailed breakdown of all of the closures to come.

However, a number of outdoor facilities and even certain outdoor events are permitted to remain open. 

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Outdoor recreational facilities such as ice rinks, baseball cages, frisbee golf, driving ranges, horse riding facilities, tobogganing hills, and basketball courts will stay open.

While ski hills have been mandated to close, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, dogsledding, and snow-shoe trails are all still permitted.

Tennis and pickleball courts are also still open to the public, along with skate parks and BMX parks.

Libraries remain open for curbside pickup, and community centres such as YMCAs remain open for permitted activities, such as mental health support.

Outdoor farmers' markets and holiday markets that primarily sell food can stay open under the provincewide shutdown.

The province specifies that any and all outdoor activities may only open if social distancing is maintained. Locker rooms and change rooms must remain closed, except for storage rooms, washrooms and first aid.

Essential services and stores selling essential items, including grocery stores and pharmacies, will of course be staying open. 

The shutdown is in place until January 9 in northern Ontario and January 23 in southern Ontario, at which point provincial health experts will evaluate the impact on COVID-19 trends.