Ottawa and Gatineau mayors asking residents to limit interprovincial travel

Mayors Jim Watson and Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin are jointly calling on residents of Ottawa and Gatineau to reduce their interprovincial travel to essential trips only. 

A message from the mayors Tuesday says, “The COVID-19 situation will not evolve the same way on both sides of the river, and everyone must be prepared to follow to the letter the recommendations of the public health authorities on limiting the virus’ propagation.”

“I ask everyone living in the Outaouais and our friends on the Ontario side to reduce travel between the two provinces to the strictest minimum,” said Gatineau Mayor Pedneaud-Jobin. “These days, solidarity sometimes means staying home. This is not the time to go back and forth between your home and the cottage, to shop anywhere other than at local businesses, or to go to parks other than your neighbourhood park. Every time you go out, you make several stops, for instance to get gas, groceries, to mention but a few, which increases the risk of contagion.”

“Mayor Pedneaud-Jobin and I are appealing to the solidarity of the region’s residents: limit your non-essential travels, including between Ottawa and Gatineau,” reiterated Ottawa Mayor Watson. “Please stay home, but if you must cross the river to help out family or friends, be sure to take every necessary precaution.”