The City of North Bay is opening up its outdoor rinks and toboggan hills today.
The Health Unit lifted the local restrictions in an announcement on Friday.
"Our staff have been maintaining the outdoor rinks since the stay-at-home order," stated Al McDonald, North Bay's Mayor.
"We are supportive of the recommendation to allow ODRs and sliding hills to reopen on February 22. Our staff will be meeting to discuss logistics and COVID safety protocols for these facilities. More information will be distributed in the coming days, but it is our hope weather dependent and with safety protocols in place, to re-open on that date."
See related: City closing all outdoor rinks and sliding hills
Dr. Jim Chirico, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit's chief medical officer, says reports of individuals gathering in large numbers and not following social distancing restrictions led to the shutdown across the region back in mid-January.
"I understand how frustrating these local closures have been and I want to thank everyone, who despite not agreeing with them, still followed the closure rules," stated Chirico.
"So after much consideration, I am opening up the outdoor public skating rinks, skating trails and tobogganing hills as of February 22 with the requirement that the municipalities monitor these sites to ensure that individuals are following public health measures such as physical distancing, following gathering limits, and wearing a face covering."
