Ottawa Public Health class order ‘on pause’ following new provincial health measures

Ottawa health authorities plan to comb through new pandemic restrictions set out by the Government of Ontario before deciding whether or not additional measures are needed in the city, in the form of a class order.

Deputy Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brent Moloughney was expecting to issue new rules regarding mask wearing and capacities at park amenities by the end of this week, but the province decided Friday, April 16, that those amenities simply needed to close.

As of Saturday, April 17, the province says all outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds will be closed, with limited exceptions. General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services for the City of Ottawa Anthony Di Monte has since clarified that residents can continue to walk through parks, as long as they are with people who are within their household group.

When looking to implement a class order in Ottawa, Dr. Moloughney says the goal has always been to address crowding in parks.

“Our approach here in Ottawa was to recognize that we wanted parks open,” he explains. “We wanted a place for people to be able to get out into the outdoors, not everyone has a back yard. It's important to have an opportunity to go outside for physical activity and mental health purposes.”

The doctor says if they look at the new provincial rules and find that there are still amenities that need capacity limits or mandatory masking rules applied, then Ottawa Public Health will move forward with a class order.

Di Monte expects that as soon as the city has more details about the new health measures issued Friday, clear public messaging will go out regarding what is allowed and what is not in public spaces.