The Town of Hanover is further relaxing some restrictions on municipal playgrounds and the skateboard park.
This follows the provincial announcement that some regions of Ontario can now proceed to Phase 3 of its Framework for Reopening the Province.
Playgrounds are open. People can also use the 7th Avenue skateboard park, the Rotary Dog Park, pavilions, and soccer fields.
Events and outdoor gatherings can now include up to 100 people, with physical distancing.
Everyone is also to follow signage and safety precautions as the equipment is not being sanitized.
Public washrooms at Hanover Park and the Rail Lands (soccer fields) are open and will be cleaned twice daily. Pavilions at Hanover Park and Binkley/Paterson (Kinsmen Ball Park) are open. The kitchen facilities remain closed.
Soccer fields and ball diamonds may be used provided provincial rules and governing sport association directives are followed. The town will also have to approve an organization’s ‘Return to Play/Operation’ plan.
Benches in parks, open spaces, and trails are permitted to be used. Please follow the precaution signage. Town trails are open. Park visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets for sitting in parks and open spaces.
Hanover Public Library is now providing curbside pickup, with new member registration and membership renewals. While the library remains closed, summer programming for children is going online, starting Monday, June 29, 2020.
The Hanover Aquatic Centre and Civic Centre remain closed as the town is continuing to work on putting in place appropriate procedures to ensure the safety of residents and the staff that maintain these facilities. A media release said the Town of Hanover would like to remind residents of the potential for the circulation of COVID-19 in our community. Residents are still required to practice 2m physical distancing, limit public gatherings to 50 or fewer people indoors and 100 outdoors, wash or use hand sanitizer before eating or drinking, wash hands immediately upon returning home, avoid crowds at parks, trails and open spaces, and leash dogs at all times.
As of July 17, the Medical Officer of Health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit has ordered that anyone who owns or operates a commercial establishment use best efforts to restrict persons from entering an indoor area that is open or accessible to the public or remaining within the area if that person is not wearing a face covering. Certain exemptions will apply.
The town would also like to remind users of Hanover’s public facilities that these areas are available for use at your own risk and are not regularly sanitized. An inherent risk of exposure to communicable diseases including COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. By visiting any parks, playgrounds and publicly accessible spaces you are voluntarily assuming all risks including any risk of injury, loss, damage, and possible exposure to a communicable disease, including COVID-19.
Municipal by-law enforcement will continue to enforce gatherings restrictions, dogs off-leash, and anyone using closed amenities.
