Dr. Jim Chirico asks residents of the region to use common sense when it comes to deciding what outdoor activities you do during the latest Stay-At-Home Order.
"What we want people to do is use good judgment," said Dr. Chirico, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit's Chief Medical Officer during Thursday's online media conference.
"It is very important for people's mental health and well-being to go out and exercise, but we want people to do it in a safe manner. So where you go is important. You certainly want to avoid any type of gathering. Maintain the two-metre physical distancing, wear a mask when appropriate. So we need people to use good judgment.
Chirico says the Health Unit is still waiting to get more clarification on some of the legislation and potentially any new rules or regulations for this Stay-At-Home Order.
"Once we get that we will have further details on what will be opening and what won't be opening," said Dr. Chirico.
Last spring during the first Stay-At-Home Order, all parks were closed to the public, while in early 2021, Chirico made the controversial call to shut down all outdoor rinks and snowmobile trails due to concerns of both travel and large outdoor gatherings.
See related: Health Unit closes OFSC snowmobile trails
See related: You can start golfing today!
Chirico also addressed the outdoor activity of golf. The province gave the green light to Ontario golf courses to open during this order and at least three local courses elected to open this week under the new guidelines.
"Playing golf, certainly last year when we were under a Stay-At-Home Order that golf courses were allowed to open," noted Dr. Chirico, who is a golfer himself.
However, he warns golf courses to follow the rules or they will be penalized.
"If they are open now, they have to adhere to strict rules in order to ensure there is physical distancing, that there is no gathering, and that the clubhouses are not open for dining and gathering and if we find we are getting complaints of golf courses not adhering to the rules and imposing a significant risk, we will close them down," he said.
