It's Canada Day!
To celebrate, admission to Ontario Parks is free today.
If you plan to visit parks in the our area — like Bass Lake, Mara or McRae Point — you're encouraged to arrive early to prevent overcrowding. People should also maintain physical distancing and wear a mask when that isn't possible.
Most services at provincial parks have reopened. Facilities like showers, laundry, group camping, picnic shelter rentals and swimming pools are closed for the 2020 season.
To further enjoy the outdoors, the province also announced yesterday that it's offering two weeks of free fishing without having to buy a licence of carry an Outdoors Card. Normally, the province runs a free fishing week in early July. It has been extended this year and runs July 4-19.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner, made some recommendations yesterday for people visiting beaches.
In addition to the usual messages about frequent handwashing, Gardner said people should stay home if they are feeling ill, and avoid any public areas that are crowded and would result in prolonged close proximity to several people not within your social circle.
