The Grey Bruce Health Unit's Chief Medical Officer of Health says municipalities should consult with public health staff over issues like beach closures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and find the least restrictive measures to control the situation.
Dr. Ian Arra said mass gathering events such as the beach on a holiday pose a high risk of transmission due to the failure of participants to follow recommendations, but often education and communication can help address the problem.
He said municipalities should consider the impact that lost income can have on job security and health. Dr. Arra is calling for a balanced approach to reopening the economy safely but as quickly as possible.
He said income is a key Social Determinant of Health because"indefinite" closure of some beaches, activities, or facilities, would negatively affect health by risking the job security and income of individuals who are employed in a sector impacted by the closure. Having clear timelines allows employers to plan accordingly to ensure job certainty for their employees.
His ultimate goal is to achieve safe re-opening as fast as possible while still maintaining the successful control over the outbreak and community transmission of COVID-19 to ensure the health and safety of the population.
Dr. Arra added municipalities have the right to pass by-laws stricter than provincial orders. But he suggested a balanced approach to any decision related to public health measures. If an uncontrollable mass gathering on a beach is expected, such as during holiday long-weekends, he pointed out the municipality could consider the least intrusive measures for the shortest period of time to prevent it.
One of these measures could be a by-law to modify access to beaches. Modified access can vary from restricting the number of people, limiting permitted activities, and up to and including the complete closure of a beach. If complete closure is warranted, best practice is for the shortest period of time (one to three days). The decision on the level of the measure to be undertaken is based upon the municipality’s unique circumstances. If education and communication suffice, limiting access may not be needed. He said municipalities have the right to pass by-laws stricter than provincial orders. He continued that the success of a by-law as a public health measure requires a thorough consultation with Public Health to ensure scientific and epidemiological evidence are factored in.
Dr. Arra and the staff of the Grey Bruce Health Unit are available for a consultation with any municipal council in Grey and Bruce Counties. Dr. Arra said it is important to consider the multiple health concerns that come into play when deciding on any public health measure. The objective during the Recovery Phase of the pandemic management is to ensure a balanced approach minimizing both disease and death from COVID-19, and disease and death from measures to respond to COVID-19.
"As an example, closing beaches may reduce the risk of COVID-19, but it has the potential to increase disease and death related to other conditions such as mental health, domestic violence, and heat injury during heatwaves; especially for those who cannot afford an air-conditioned environment. Having the natural cooling effect of a beach would prevent heat-related injury and death. This effect becomes more vital as providing cooling centers during COVID-19 has a unique set of challenges," said Arra. "Beach closure may, or may not, be successful in preventing people from coming to a community and posing the risk of congregating in other locales other than the beach. However, it may inadvertently create other challenges, for example, a long line of people waiting inside a store to purchase ice-cream may carry more risk than spending time on a beach. Closure without strong communication and buy-in from stakeholders may lead to protests with the associated potential to increase the risk of transmission."
