North Bay-Parry Sound Health Unit limits snowmobiling in district

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is shutting down all Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs' trails and trails on Crown Land in the district as of Thursday.

Medical officer of health Dr. Jim Chirico says trails will stay closed for the duration of the Stay-at-Home Order, and he'll re-assess at that time.

Chirico says he has received many complaints about people travelling from other districts to use the local snowmobile trails, putting people at risk of exposure to COVID-19. He says he is also seeing groups of snowmobilers congregating on trails, in parking lots and other locations, not maintaining a two metre distance and exceeding the gathering limits.

The health unit says the heightened restrictions are in place to decrease or eliminate the risk to community health presented by COVID-19.

"The OFSC recommends that snowmobilers avoid trailering and travelling to destinations that are outside their health unit region to snowmobile, but people have not taken the direction seriously," Chirico said in a release.

"I do not recommend anyone gather with people you do not live with or, if you live alone, people who are not a part of your unique close contact home. We are seeing an increase of COVID-19 cases locally and the provincial projections do not look good. Our local hospitals have very little surge capacity and limited resources which must be protected for the health and safety of our community."

The health unit says outdoor physical activity, such as walking, running, playing outside and biking are important for physical and mental health and is still recommended by the health unit. People are being asked to maintain a two-metre physical distance from people they do not live with. Face coverings are also recommended to be worn outdoors.

Dismay at closure of skating, sliding facilities 

Meanwhile, the city of North Bay's decision to close outdoor municipal rinks and tobogganing hills until further notice is causing dismay among area health professionals, teachers and residents.

In a public letter to Chirico, they said they are opposed to the closing of outdoor skating and tobogganing facilities in the region.

"Some of us are professionals in front-line health care and education; all of us are the parents of kids who were using the skating and tobogganing facilities as a way to mitigate the stress of living through a pandemic. The North Bay and Parry Sound District Health Unit's 'vision' is 'a healthy life for everyone in our communities.' Since health includes both mental and physical health, we ask that you take into consideration the mental health of the citizens, especially our youngest ones."

They argue the province considers the region's COVID-19 numbers to be low enough to send kids back to class, "yet in Toronto, where schools are closed until Feb. 11 by the province, kids are still able to access skating and tobogganing facilities."

Mayor Al McDonald says North Bay's "outdoor rinks and tobogganing hills have attracted crowds in recent weeks and we are implementing measures to protect the public and prevent the spread of the virus."