Peterborough Public Health Recommends Playground Closures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
Written by Communications, March 27, 2020
Parks and Trails to Remain Open
Peterborough Public Health announced today that it is recommending to local municipalities the closure of public playgrounds. Parks are to remain open and park users are reminded to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from each other.
“We arrived at this recommendation as a way to balance the need for infection control while emphasizing the importance of being outdoors to maintain good health,” said Dr.Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “We understand many municipalities have already taken this step, and we appreciate everyone’s support of these public health
measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Dr. Salvaterra explained that COVID-19 can live longer on hard materials like metal and plastic, so this recommendation is being made due to the types of playground surfaces that exist as well as the limited cleaning and sanitization practices of outdoor playground equipment. Hand washing before and after play would address this risk but as young children may not be able to keep their hands away from their faces during play, families are being asked not to share play toys or equipment with others at this time.
For a listing of which playgrounds and parks are affected, please contact your municipality. For further information on
COVID-19, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate
and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care. If you need further assistance, call
TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your health care provider. You can also call Peterborough Public Health at 705-
743-1000.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence, Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391