With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, Londoners may be eager to enjoy outdoor activities. While there are a number of activities that are permitted, the current stay-at-home order includes restrictions on activities to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
City of London Municipal Enforcement Officers continue to work with partners to ensure education and compliance with Provincial Orders, and where necessary will issue fines where non-compliance is observed.
Over the past two weekends, some enforcement actions were taken:
- An individual was served a summons for hosting a gathering at a residence;
- Three individuals were fined for attending gatherings at two separate residences;
- Eight fines were issued to businesses observed not adhering to Provincial regulations including curbside pick-up regulations, not adhering to mask and face covering regulations, and not having a safety plan in place.
As well, on Wednesday May 5, an individual was fined $880 for using the Thames Valley Golf Course.
Additional occurrences remain under investigation and further charges are pending.
“With the Stay-at-Home Order in effect for a number weeks now, our Officers will not refrain from issuing fines where violations are observed ” says Orest Katolyk, Director Municipal Compliance. “We are asking Londoners to please continue to follow all regulations in place. These are in place for the safety and well-being of the entire community.”
What’s allowed:
- Walking, running, rollerblading and cycling through parks
- Taking a break on a park bench, as long as a two-metre distance from those outside their household
- Off-leash dog parks remain open,
- Park washrooms are open, where they have opened for the season
What’s restricted:
- Gathering or playing at soccer pitches, baseball diamonds, tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, skate parks, disc golf courses and using outdoor exercise equipment
- Having a picnic or gathering at park shelters
Those who are not from the same household are required to maintain a physical distance of two metres from others using park spaces. A person living alone is permitted to socialize in-person with one other household.
Wearing a masks or face coverings outdoors is strongly recommended when using amenities that remain open or in situations where physical distancing is difficult. Masks must be worn while using washroom facilities.
Choosing an outdoor route
Exploring parks, green space, trails and pathways close to home is the best way to maintain physical distance from those outside your household. CityMap is an online tool that can help find alternate routes.
With some of London’s most popular pathways and trails getting busier, the City has taken steps to help Londoners maintain physical distance in key areas:
- Springbank Park: Park entrances off Flint Lane and Arboretum Avenue have been closed to motor vehicles, these entrances are open to pedestrians and cyclists only and offer a great view of the magnolias and crab apple trees in bloom.
- Blackfriars Bridge was previously modified to create more pedestrian and cycling space as a key connector to sections of the TVP. Downtown sidewalks remain less busy than typical and areas such as Dundas Place offer extra wide pedestrian pathways to pass through at a safe distance.
Emergency vehicles, transit, deliveries and other essential service vehicles are not impacted by these changes.
City staff will continue to monitor overall park usage and areas of high use within road and park pathway networks. Residents can expect by-law enforcement to be patrolling these areas to help ensure residents’ safety. Now is not the time to take these orders lightly